Single Publication

 October 18, 2021 

Acres: 88,068 acres  
Containment: 55% 

Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning 

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest 

Resources: 657 personnel including: 9 crews, 22 engines, 21 water tenders, 9 dozers and 12 helicopters 

Yesterday, a moderate increase in fire behavior was observed as a cold front progressed into the fire area. The western flank of the fire is holding well in mop-up and patrol status, and suppression repair is progressing. On the east side, heavy burning fuels by the Dorst Creek Cabin were suppressed by some assistance from aircraft and the fire was successfully held back. Below the Giant Forest, a flanking run along the rim created some hot spots between the top of the rim and the High Sierra Trail. The fire is expected to back down to the trail where it will receive additional mop-up attention. At Redwood Meadows Patrol Cabin, structure protection measures were taken and will be reassessed today. As anticipated, the fire progressed toward Mineral King Road, and a firefighter assisted in successfully escorting several residents out of the valley who had prior authorization to enter. Moisture arrived after midnight and brought higher humidity, which will remain most of the week.  

Today, no forward movement of the fire is expected. The Sequoia Protection Group has been assigned to ensure grove safety and to monitor fire activity in and around those areas. Coordination is taking place daily with local resource advisors to prioritize actions that will support limiting mortality to the species. Patrol, mop-up and suppression repair are the primary activities on the western edge. Lack of manmade features and natural barriers on the southern and eastern edges of the fire has made implementation of control lines difficult, but crews anticipate successful line completion soon. Snags and steep, inaccessible terrain remain a threat to the safety of firefighters. Fuels east of the Generals Highway are sparser than in other areas, which will help moderate forward progression.  

Kings Canyon National Park will open with reduced services today, October 18. Visit www.nps.gov/SEKI for more information. Developed areas of the Sequoia National Park remain closed, and all previous closures of the Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument remain in effect. 

Weather: A much cooler air mass with much higher humidity will prevail today with clouds persisting much of the day. Temperatures are expected to slowly rise through the rest of the week. 

Safety: Please be aware of and respect closures and reduce speeds when traveling in and around the fire area.  

Evacuations: For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0.  

Closures: View closures at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/. 

Smoke Impacts: Current air quality updates can be found at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA. 

PUBLIC: (559) 494-4881 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

MEDIA: (925) 588-6773

EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/sequoiakingsnps/ and https://www.facebook.com/sequoiaNF/

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/SequoiaKingsnps and https://twitter.com/sequoiaforest

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/Sequoiakingsnps

YOUTUBE:

https://bit.ly/2021KNPComplex