Single Publication

KNP Complex North and South Zones Update

October 16, 2021
   
Acres: 87,850 acres                                                                  
Containment: 55%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                               
Cause: Lightning

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

Resources: 780 personnel including: 11 crews, 30 engines, 23 water tenders, 5 dozers and 12 helicopters

Fire activity will be moderate today with only creeping and backing activity in most areas. Fire weather forecasters are paying close attention to a low-pressure system which will be settling over the geographical area Sunday bringing clouds, cooler temperatures and southwest winds. Today, crews and the structure suppression division will focus heavily on patrolling, scouting, mop up, and suppression repair. Western and northern containment lines are holding well. Below the Giant Forest, the fire is creeping eastward into oak and brush vegetation, but there is still little growth anticipated. The fire has now backed into the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River and has stalled with no expectation of extension across the river.

A suppression repair group is working with host agencies to identify and prioritize the needed work, resources and equipment required to best accomplish repair and rehabilitation. Wildfires cause complex problems from water quality, loss of vegetation and soil stability, and loss of habitat and cultural resources. Identifying post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property and critical natural and cultural resources is a top priority for public land managers.

Yesterday, the Kings Canyon National Park announced that it will partially reopen Monday, October 18. Because of impacts to water systems in the park, there will be no running water until systems are restored. For more information on services and closures, please visit www.nps.gov/SEKI. The Sequoia National Park and all developed areas of the Sequoia National Forest remain closed.

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:

https://bit.ly/2021KNPComplex