Single Publication

Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2

Dave Bales – Incident Commander

Acres:  58,283 acres (based on infrared flight)                  

Containment: 20%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                        

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Resources:   1,345 personnel including: 26 crews, 61 engines, 40 water tenders, 21 dozers and 12 helicopters

Virtual Meeting Today at 7:00 PM streamed on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/SequoiaKingsNPS/live_videos

Yesterday, the northwest flank where the fire crossed the North Fork Kaweah River and the eastern perimeter near Castle Creek Grove experienced the most active fire behavior and new growth. Resources on the northern perimeter initiated successful tactical firing operations in the Redwood Mountain Grove, along the Generals Highway towards Dorst Campground and south of Eshom Point along northwest contingency lines as conditions were favorable. Throughout the night firefighters continued strategic firing operations to secure contingency lines. The fire has burned onto both Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Forest.

Today, low-intensity tactical firing operations will progress within the Redwood Mountain Grove, along the Generals Highway and along northwest contingency lines south of Eshom Point if conditions are favorable. Resources will continue structure protection efforts in the communities of Eshom and Hartland by removing debris away from structures, setting up sprinklers and installing hose lays. Crews east of the Generals Highway along the northern perimeter will work to improve established containment lines working to the east. Firefighters on the eastern flank will continue securing the Giant Forest Grove while also supporting strategic firing operations to the north as needed. As additional resources arrive to the southern perimeter, they will continue with indirect suppression tactics along Mineral King Rd and scout for opportunities to safely engage the fire perimeter directly. The fire is expected to progress further south, down slope towards the road today. Firefighters remain in the communities of Three Rivers and Ash Mountain as an increase in fire behavior was observed yesterday. Along the western perimeter, an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will be utilized to gather information which will be used to inform operational plans. Aircraft will support ground resources as air quality permits.

Humidity recovery was poor overnight and relative humidity levels are expected to remain low today. A ridge of high pressure remains over the fire bringing hot and dry conditions. Winds will be primarily terrain driven and are not expected to surface over the fire until mid-afternoon. Active fire behavior is expected again today.

Evacuation warnings and orders are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Detailed evacuation information for Tulare County can be found at: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ and for Fresno County at: https://www.facebook.com/FresnoSheriff.

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.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Fire Information:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967

EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

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

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