Tuolumne County Dove Fire prompts evacuations near Sonora

By Cecilio Padilla

Evacuations are underway Sunday as firefighters battle a wildfire burning with a dangerous rate of spread in Tuolumne County.

The Dove Fire is burning near Highway 108 and Stockton Road in the Sonora area, according to Cal Fire. As of around 5 p.m., the fire was about 166 acres.

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for McKibbon Drive, Golden Dove Lane, Crooked Lane, Southgate Road, Stockton Road and Silver Pine Lane, according to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.

Orders also cover Washington Street to Lowe’s, the north side of Mono to Washington, Golden Dove and the area from The Silos on Washington Street to Hospital Road.

Evacuation warnings are in place for South Washington Street to Barretta Street, Martha Lane, Outlook Drive, South Stewart Street, South Shepherd Street, South Beretta Street and Washington Street from Highway 108 to the Red Church at Shell Street.

Road closures include Highway 108 at Stockton Road, Stockton Road at Woodside, Washington Street from Highway 108 to the Red Church, Snell Street, Bonanza Road and Pesce Way.

The Tuolumne Community Resilience Center is expected to open as an evacuation center around 5:30 p.m.

Deputies are urging anyone in the area who feels unsafe to leave without waiting for an evacuation order. People are also being asked to avoid the area while emergency crews respond.

The fire is burning in the Mill Villa area southwest of downtown Sonora, near Highway 108 and Stockton Road and just northeast of Jamestown.