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Oak Fire Blazes Near Yosemite, Forcing Thousands to Evacuate

Air quality impacts span multiple states as a result of the wildfire, which broke out Friday in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

News

California Wildfires

Fire crews from across California are responding to the Oak Fire currently burning near Yosemite National Park. (Photo courtesy of the City of Pasadena)
By Lara Cooper

Since breaking out on Friday, the Oak Fire has scorched nearly 17,000 acres in Mariposa County, near Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California.

On Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County due to the effects of the Oak Fire, which has destroyed at least seven structures and forced evacuation notices for at least 3,800 people.

The fast-moving fire is not only creating hazardous conditions on the ground but creating air quality impacts for people across multiple states. Wildfires often cause particulate matter to linger in the air, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma.

The map above shows smoke impacts created by the Oak Fire on July 25, 2022. Red areas signal higher levels of smoke. (Map by Andrew Schroeder/Direct Relief)

Direct Relief’s Response

Over the weekend, Direct Relief staff reached out to the State of California Office of Emergency Services to offer support, as well as to county response agencies.

Wildfire preparation and response is part of the organization’s ongoing work, and on Friday, a shipment of field medic packs was dispatched to the California National Guard for fire preparation across the state of California.

The organization has a long history of responding to wildfires, particularly in the Western U.S., and has deployed often in recent years to fires across the state as drought and climate conditions cause fires to increase in frequency and severity.

Fires can also cause health risks during evacuation. As people quickly evacuate their homes, they may leave behind medicines needed to manage chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure. If left unmanaged, those conditions can escalate into emergency situations, requiring high levels of care at hospitals that may already be stretched thin. Direct Relief maintains an inventory of medical aid commonly requested by health providers during fires.

Click through to explore the dashboard. (Dashboard by Michael Robinson/Direct Relief)

When an emergency such as a wildfire occurs, requests for medical assistance are often made in the days and weeks afterward, as health care providers, emergency response managers, and others on the ground take stock of medical needs. Direct Relief is prepared to meet a wide range of requests for medical support in the coming days and weeks.

The organization is in communication with local responders about ongoing needs and is ready to respond.

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