Single Publication

KNP Complex North and South Zones Update

October 15, 2021

Acres: 87,786 acres                          

Containment: 45%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                           

Cause: Lightning

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

Resources: 1,460 personnel including: 22 crews, 82 engines, 31 water tenders, 7 dozers and 14 helicopters

Along the western and northern boundaries of the KNP Complex today, crews will perform patrol and mop-up activities, as well as initiating suppression repair by strategically placing equipment such as dozers and chippers along areas needing additional work. Firefighters are working in the area between Montecito Lodge and Stony Creek to secure containment and to isolate hot spots to prevent further spread. On the southeast flank, the fire will slowly back toward Cliff Creek. There is a prior-year burn scar between the fire and the creek, so if the fire reaches the burn scar, aircraft will be very effective in responding with suppression tactics. Snags and steep, inaccessible terrain remain a threat to the safety of firefighters, so unmanned aircraft systems (drones) will assist in those areas. Suppression repair on contingency lines will commence where it is appropriate and safe to do so. Structure protection groups will be patrolling and monitoring the full perimeter of the fire.

As the warmer temperatures this week dry more receptive fuels, active fire behavior moving toward the interior will produce more smoke which will settle in the valleys and canyons. No forward progression is expected beyond the current fire footprint.

Weather: Weather conditions will remain warm and dry through the end of the week. No appreciable changes other than a few clouds are anticipated through the end of the week.

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

Evacuations: Evacuation ORDERS and WARNINGS are in place. For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0. Learn to prepare for an evacuation by visiting https://www.readyforwildfire.org/.

Closures: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed. 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.

FIRE INFORMATION

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: