Monday, 27 July 2026, 22:52
A wildfire, named the Dove Fire, ignited in Tuolumne County near the town of Sonora, the gateway to Yosemite National Park. The fire began Sunday at about 2:48 p.m. in the area of Highway 108 and Mill Villa Road, southwest of downtown Sonora and just northeast of Jamestown. As of Sunday evening July 27, the fire has burned approximately 223 acres and is only 1% contained, according to CalFire. Two firefighters have been injured, though the extent of their injuries is not yet known. No structures have been threatened. Fire activity has decreased, and air and ground resources continue to make progress. Crews were working through the night to slow its spread. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for residents in threatened areas, and an information line is available at (209) 533-5151.
As of the latest update, mandatory evacuations remain in place for the following areas: Dove Lane, McKibbon Drive, 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, South Side of Mono from Greenley to Washington, The Silos on Washington St to Hospital Rd, Beretta St from Washington/Restano/Mono to Lyons Rd (downgraded to evacuation warning), Washington St from Highway 108 to the Red Church (Snell St), Highway 108 between Wigwam Rd and Mono Way, Stockton Rd and Woodside, Mono Way from Greenley into downtown Sonora, Morning Star at Cemetery, and Washington Street from Lowe's to Hospital Road. Some areas, such as Beretta St from Washington/Restano/Mono to Lyons Rd, have been downgraded to evacuation warnings. Highway 108 has reopened to one lane traffic control between Stockton and Wigwam, and Pesce Rd is fully reopened. Washington St is reopened from Snell to Bradford but remains closed from Bradford to 108. Evacuation warnings are in place for: 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, the south side of Mono Way from Greenley Road to Washington Street, South Stewart Street, South Shepherd Street, and South Beretta Street. Evacuation centers include the Tuolumne CRC (18241 Bay Ave, Tuolumne, CA 95379) for people with small animals, and the Tuolumne County Transit Center (12879 Justice Ctr Dr, Sonora, CA 95370) as a cooling center for the unhoused. Temporary animal shelters are available at Animal Control (10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown) for small animals and at the Posse Grounds (19130 Rawhide Rd, Jamestown) for large animals.
Governor Gavin Newsom stated, “California is working side-by-side with our local and state partners to protect communities threatened by the Dove Fire.” He emphasized that securing state assistance ensures firefighters have the resources to protect lives and property. Governor Newsom announced that California had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to bolster the state's 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. CalFire reported that 484 total personnel are responding to the fire. Officials urged people to avoid areas where emergency crews are working. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation by CalFire officials.
Tuolumne County, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, is no stranger to wildfires. The region’s dense forests and dry summer climate create a high risk for fast-spreading fires. The Dove Fire’s proximity to Yosemite National Park raises concerns for tourism and local wildlife. Air quality in the area may deteriorate, with potential impacts on sensitive groups.
Air quality index readings near the fire could range from moderate to hazardous. Residents are advised to monitor local air quality reports and take precautions, especially those with respiratory conditions. CalFire recommends maintaining defensible space and having an emergency evacuation kit ready.
California experiences more wildfires than most states due to its climate, vegetation, and seasonal winds like the Santa Ana and Diablo winds. Lightning and human activities also contribute to ignition. The state has seen increasingly severe fire seasons in recent years, with larger acreages burned and longer fire seasons.
The Dove Fire remains a developing situation with low containment. Evacuees should follow official instructions, and all residents in the region should stay alert. Residents who feel unsafe are advised to leave without waiting for an evacuation order. As firefighting efforts continue, the focus is on preventing loss of life and property. For real-time updates, refer to CalFire and local emergency services. For ongoing updates, residents can check Cal Fire's incident page at fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/7/26/dove-fire.
