Single Publication

Resources: 1,573 Personnel, 39 Hand Crews, 83 Engines, 17 Helicopters, 13 Dozers, 13 Water Tenders
Structures Threatened: 1,000 Residences, 50 Commercial Buildings
Structures Destroyed: 20 Residences, 106 Outbuildings, 2 Commercial Buildings
Injuries: 4

ROAD OPENINGS AND EVACUATION ORDERS: This afternoon, Tulare County will be making an announcement regarding changes to Evacuation Orders and road closures on the east side of the fire. When we receive the information, it will be posted to InciWeb and Facebook @SequoiaNF.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Windy Fire is 97,459 acres with 75% containment and is a full suppression fire. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and the Sequoia National Forest, which includes the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The fire increased 445 acres in the last 24 hours. The acreage increase is within the established indirect containment lines. Today, California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5) is transitioning with Great Basin Team 6, which will take command of the fire at 6 A.M. tomorrow.  CIIMT 5 has appreciated your patience, cooperation, and assistance during our assignment on the Windy Fire. Thank you.

Yesterday, additional containment was achieved on the east side from Tobias Creek north to Flynn Canyon in the Kern Canyon. Today, two areas remain a priority for securing containment: the west side on the Tule River Indian Reservation south to M50 (at the switchbacks), and the east side in the Kern River Canyon from Tobias Creek to Baker Peak.

On the west side, the fire continues to move slowly westward towards the indirect dozer line and handlines that have been completed from M50 northwest to Lone Pine Mountain. With increased containment on the east side, hotshot crews will move to the west side to assess the potential for direct handline construction at the fire’s edge. From Lone Pine Mountain north to Wheatons on the Tule River Indian Reservation, the tactical firing operation has been completed, and crews continue strengthening and improving containment lines. Crews have a few more days of work on this portion of the line before it is fully secured.

On the east side north of Baker Peak the terrain is very rocky and inaccessible from Ant Canyon to Tobias Creek, and water-dropping helicopters and the Bombardier CL-415 (Super Scoopers) are being used to extinguish any active fire. Crews are also removing brush and vegetation along the Whiskey Flat Trail (32E35) to improve a secondary containment line.

On the rest of the fire’s perimeter, crews are extinguishing hotspots within the containment lines and are watching for any burning materials, such as pine cones and logs, that could roll downslope. and start new fires.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: High pressure will shift to the east today ahead of a strong cold front.  Thursday into Friday, the cold front will bring a chance of light precipitation, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity.

TULARE COUNTY RESIDENT INFORMATION: Residents requesting information on the status of their property can call the Tulare County Information Hotline at (559) 802-9790. Affected property owners should complete the September Lightning Fire Information Form online at: https://bit.ly/3ETdZjI. 

EVACUATION ORDERS: The following information is from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuation orders and warnings can change suddenly. Please refer to the Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Map at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for the latest information.

• White River Summer Home Tract, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, Sugarloaf Mountain Park.
• Mountain Aire and Rogers Camp.
• Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow Road (FS Road 22S82), south to M99 at Sherman Pass Road, west to M107 and M50.
• The area of McNally’s from Sherman Pass Road to Corral Creek.

• Both sides of the Kern River from the Goldledge Campground south to Riverkern, Tulare County, at the Tulare/Kern border. This warning will include all private properties, businesses, residences, structures, campsites, campgrounds, Forest Service roads, access roads, attached roads, and trails.
• Alpine Village, Camp Nelson, Cedar Slope, Coy Flat, Pierpoint, Quaking Aspen, Ponderosa, and Sequoia Crest.
• Sugarloaf Village, Panorama Heights, Poso Park, Idlewild, Pleasant View, Balance Rock, Posey, and Vincent Ranch. The boundaries will be from Sugarloaf Peak west to Buck Peak; south to Vincent Ranch at the Tulare/ Kern County Line; east to Forest Service Road 24S07; and north to Sugarloaf Peak.
• California Hot Springs and Pine Flat areas. The evacuation order includes M-504 at Tyler Creek, Southeast to Pine Flat, West to M-56 and Fire Control Road, North up Tyler Creek Road. This includes structures, side roads, and all attached roads.

• At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
• Quaking Aspen and M107
• MT56 at Fountain Springs
• M50 at the Hot Springs Ranger Station for northbound traffic
• FS Road 23S05
• M99 at Goldledge campground
• Sherman Pass Road at Blackrock Ranger Station