Hunters fire swells to 1,300 acres; two firefighters injured

A fast-moving wildfire burning in steep and dry terrain in Mariposa County west of Yosemite National Park ballooned to 1,300 acres by Tuesday afternoon.

At least two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the wildfire, which has quickly consumed dry vegetation, destroyed one structure believed to be uninhabited and threatened 100 homes in the area of Hunters Valley Road, said Daniel Berlant, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

“There is plenty of fuel to burn,” he said, adding the recent fire activity is typically seen during the summer.

The Hunters fire started Monday about 3:30 p.m. in the Hunters Valley area near Lake McClure and quickly grew to about 500 acres, according to Cal Fire. By Tuesday afternoon, it was just 20% contained.

Residents who received evacuation notices were told to leave because their access would be limited and they would not be allowed to return home if they decided to leave later, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Kristie Mitchell.

The blaze started as a house fire that quickly spread to the surrounding brush because of dry conditions and strong winds, KABC-TV Channel 7 reported.

The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center, and county officials established a rescue center for pets.