Oak Fire, 42 percent contained, claims 135 structures, burns 19,000 acres
JERSEYDALE -- At least 135 homes and other structures have been destroyed by a California forest fire near Yosemite National Park, officials said Thursday.
The Oak Fire in Mariposa County has charred nearly 30 square miles (19,200 acres) of trees and brush, with 42 percent containment, Cal Fire said in an incident update.
Assessment teams are moving through remote communities in the Sierra Nevada foothills looking for more damage.
At its height, some 6,000 people were told to flee their homes after the blaze erupted last Friday near the town of Midpines. Thousands have since returned as many evacuation orders were lifted.
Lower temperatures and increased humidity in recent days helped firefighters slow the fire's growth.
The fire's cause is under investigation.
