Monday, 27 July 2026, 22:50
The Dove Fire ignited Sunday at approximately 2:48 p.m. in Tuolumne County, near the intersection of Highway 108 with Stockton Road and Mill Villa Road, just outside Sonora, about 70 miles west of Yosemite National Park. By late afternoon, it had scorched 166 acres. As of Sunday night, Cal Fire reported the fire had grown to 223 acres. The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office initially reported a dangerous rate of spread, later updating to a moderate pace. Fire activity decreased as night fell, and air and ground crews were making progress against the flames. No containment figures have been released.
Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for McKibbon Drive, Golden Dove Lane, Crooked Lane, Southgate Road, Stockton Road, Silver Pine Lane, the south side of Mono Way from Greenley to Washington, Golden Dove, The Silos on Washington Street to Hospital Road, and Beretta Street from Washington/Restano/Mono to Lyons Road. Additional orders were issued for Dove Lane, Washington Street to Lowes, and the north side of Mono Way. By 9 p.m., the evacuation order for Beretta Street from Washington, Restano and Mono to Lyons Road was downgraded to a warning. All other evacuation orders and warnings remained in place.
Evacuation warnings cover South Washington Street to Barretta Street, Martha Lane, Outlook Drive, South Stewart Street, South Shepherd Street, Beretta Street, and Washington Street from Highway 108 to the Red Church. The warning area also includes Beretta Street from Washington, Restano and Mono to Lyons Road, which had previously been under a mandatory evacuation order. Some roads began reopening Sunday night. Highway 108 was set to reopen at 9 p.m. with one way traffic control between Stockton Road and Wigwam Road. Highway 108 has also reopened between Washington Street and Mono Way and between Stockton Road and Fifth Avenue. Pesce Road has reopened, while Washington Street is open from Snell Street to Bradford Street. Road closures remain on Washington Street from Highway 108 to Bradford Street, Forest Road at Sylvan Drive, and Stockton Road at Highway 108, Bradford Street, Solynski Road and Green Street.
The Tuolumne Community Resilience Center at 18241 Bay Ave. in Tuolumne is open as an evacuation center. A temporary animal shelter is at Tuolumne County Animal Control (10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown). Large animals can be taken to the Posse Grounds at 19130 Rawhide Road, Jamestown. Deputies urge anyone feeling unsafe to leave without waiting for an official order. The Tuolumne County Transit Center at 12879 Justice Center Drive in Sonora is open as a cooling center and location for fresh air for unhoused residents and people at Camp Justice. Deputies said they will patrol evacuated areas overnight as firefighters continue working.
The fire was at 0% containment as of Monday morning. Cal Fire reported that two firefighters have been injured, though no details on the extent of their injuries were immediately available. No structures have been threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Other mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for: Golden Dove Lane, Silver Pine Drive, Stockton Road from Highway 108 to Ponderosa Drive, Southgate Drive, Hill Street, Sonora Ave, Fair Street, Gerrymander Ave, West Sunset Street, Symons Lane.
Evacuation warnings cover South Washington Street to Barretta Street, Martha Lane, Outlook Drive, South Stewart Street, South Shepherd Street, Beretta Street, and Washington Street from Highway 108 to the Red Church, as well as McKibbon Drive, Martha Lane, Outlook Drive, Crooked Lane, West Lytton Street, Olive Street, Maple Street, High Street, Bulwer Street, Toby Street, June Street, West Church Lane, Knowles Hill Drive, and the south side of Mono Way from Greenley Road to Washington Street.
By Monday afternoon, Highway 108 was fully reopened. Washington Street is open, but the side streets on the west side from Symons Lane to Stockton Road remain closed. Stockton Road has reopened to Forest Road, while Southgate Drive remains closed.
On Sunday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to bolster the response to the Dove Fire. The grant allows local, state, and tribal agencies to apply for 75% reimbursement of their costs of suppressing the fire. Additionally, 484 personnel are responding to the fire.
Tuolumne County, part of California's Sierra Nevada foothills, frequently faces wildfire threats during dry months. The Mill Villa area southwest of downtown Sonora and northeast of Jamestown is now under strain. Firefighters are working to protect structures and contain the blaze.
Wildfires in Tuolumne County have prompted evacuations before, such as the 2023 Electra Fire. The region's steep terrain and dry vegetation make rapid response critical. This outbreak underscores ongoing fire risk in the area.
Residents should follow Sheriff's Office updates and avoid closed roads. The Dove Fire remains active, and conditions can change quickly. Stay ready to evacuate if needed.
