Single Publication

SOUTHWEST AREA TYPE 1 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 2

Dave Bales – Incident Commander

Acres:  48,344 acres (based on infrared flight)                  

Containment: 8%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                           

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Resources:   1,822 personnel including: 49 crews, 72 engines, 39 water tenders, 32 dozers and 11 helicopters

Firefighting resources continue to work to increase containment on the KNP Complex. Challenges include drought stressed vegetation, and heavy brush loads on steep slopes. Changes in weather today may allow smoke to lift and allow fire columns to develop. Aircraft is available to support ground resources as weather conditions permit.

Yesterday, resources continued to improve the Mineral King Road on the southern edge and monitored the fire as it backed down toward the road. Today, firefighters along the western flanks will remain engaged with structure protection of Hartland and the surrounding areas and work the fires edge to construct and improve containment lines. Along the southern perimeter crews will continue to improve the Mineral King Road in addition to having resources in Three Rivers, Silver City and Mineral King communities. Crews on the northern flank will continue to build direct line to the east. On the eastern perimeter crews continue to mop up hot spots within the Giant Forest and improve containment lines. They are also looking for opportunities to build fire line north from Lodgepole. Weather should allow aircraft to work in coordination with ground resources to support firefighting efforts.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued 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. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

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.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/