When a vehicle catches fire on a Monday afternoon, the danger doesn’t stop at the pavement—it spreads fast, and that’s exactly what happened on Old Priest Grade in Groveland.
The Priest Fire started from a vehicle fire that jumped to surrounding vegetation, growing to 10 acres by 3 p.m. What began as a roadside incident quickly escalated into a situation serious enough to warrant immediate evacuation orders. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office ordered everyone out of Priest Station Café at the top of the grade, meaning residents had no time to wait or prepare—they needed to leave now.
The threat extended beyond that immediate area. Evacuation warnings were issued for the Big Oak Flat Area, signaling residents to be on alert and ready to move at a moment’s notice. The distinction matters: an evacuation order is an immediate threat to life and property. An evacuation warning means danger is looming, and you should have a plan and supplies ready to go. Highway 120 toward Moccasin was reduced to one-way traffic as emergency responders worked to contain the fire and manage the flow of people leaving the region.
Tuolumne County residents dealing with evacuation situations should stay connected to official channels. The Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services, the Tuolumne County Fire Department, and Cal Fire’s Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit all provide real-time updates on social media and through the Tuolumne County Citizen Alert Notification System. Having an evacuation plan—knowing your routes, your destination, and what you’ll take—isn’t just smart; it’s essential when fire season brings situations like this to your doorstep.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
