Wildfire erupts in Mariposa County explodes to hundreds of acres

A wildfire has erupted in Mariposa County and has consumed hundreds of acres in its early stages, state fire officials reported Friday.

The Oak Fire had consumed 611 acres as of 4:38 p.m. on Friday, according to officials with the state Forestry and Fire Protection Department, also known as Cal Fire.

The blaze broke out in the vicinity of State Route 140 and Carstens Road near the Mariposa County community of Midpines, Cal Fire reported.

The fire is burning near one of the main routes into Yosemite National Park.

Unofficial accounts stated that the fire had quickly gained momentum in its early stages.

Just one hour after Cal Fire had estimated the blaze’s size at 60 acres, the wildfire had swiftly expanded a size that exceeded 600 acres.

The fire was burning out of control with no containment around it Friday evening.

The cause was under investigation on Friday.