Single Publication

Trout Fire: 19,259 acres - 5% containment

Long Fire: 8,908 acres - 20% containment

Total Personnel: 1,007

Current Situation: On Monday, severe weather affected both the Long Fire and the Trout Fire. Thunderstorms brought rain to the northern sections of both fires and strong winds and lightning to the southern portions. Flash flooding damaged Chimney Basin Rd. on the Long Fire, and there was intense behavior near Machine Creek on the Trout Fire. Despite these challenges, crews achieved 20 percent containment of the Long Fire and 5 percent of the Trout Fire. Crews also completed a crucial handline near Palome Creek and strengthened a control line now reclassified as contained. Today, crews will continue to strengthen control lines, repair roads, and build new firelines. Air support available but weather dependent.

Trout Fire: Thunderstorm significantly affected the Trout Fire Monday afternoon. Strong outflow winds swept westward, fanning flames and producing a large smoke column in Machine Creek and Sirretta Meadows on the fire’s southwest side. Fire behavior was intense, spreading rapidly, and spot fires ignited up to three quarters of a mile away. However, on Sherman Pass Rd., crews successfully completed firing operations on the last half-mile section between the road and the approaching fire. Today, firefighters will work along the eastern edge of the fire, building control lines from Sherman Pass Rd. toward Lunch Meadow. Near Deadwood Meadows and Sirretta Pass, helicopter landing spots will be completed and supply shuttling for firefighting will begin. On the west side, heavy equipment will continue reopening dozer lines from Sherman Pass Rd. southward along Mosquito Meadow Rd.

Long Fire: Thunderstorms also brought rain to the north and strong winds to the south of the Long Fire. Crews completed handline near Palome Creek and strengthened control lines across the southern perimeter. They are confident in the fireline’s ability to prevent fire spread in that area and changed the classification to containment line. However, rain caused flash flooding and debris flows, damaging Chimney Basin Rd., forcing firefighters to take shelter. Today, hotshot crews will continue building control lines, particularly on the northwest side of the fire. Engine crews are working along roads on the eastern side, deploying hose lines and extinguishing hot spots. Heavy-equipment operators will repair roads to ensure roads are safe for fire operations.

Weather & Air Quality: Repeated thunderstorms are forecasted for today starting at noon. The most probable areas to see rainfall will be the northern portions of the Trout Fire and Long Fire. Along the southern perimeter of each fire, strong outflow winds are expected. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

Closures & Restrictions: Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout and Long Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-12. Fire restrictions are also in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. Both orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management’s Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. View the emergency closure order here: tinyurl.com/4mprcb9b. The PCT is closed between Hwy 178 at Walker Pass (mile 653) and the South Fork of the Kern River bridge (mile 717.7).

Evacuations: Tulare County evacuation warnings are in effect for zones TLC-E274-B and TLC-E261-B. Tulare County evacuation advisories are in effect or zones TLC-E297-A, TLC-E250, TLC-E274-A, and TLC-E261-A.