The Windy Fire is 12,370 acres with 0% containment. It started on the eastern portion of the Tule River Reservation and is also burning in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County. The fire is burning on all sides; the fire is backing gently downslope on the western perimeter on the Tule River Reservation to the 212 road. It has not crossed this road. Last night the fire burned north to Slate Mountain and has burned a portion of the Slate Mountain Botanical area on the Giant Sequoia National Monument. It has crossed the Western Divide Highway (M107) on the south end and has reached the Trail of 100 Giants on the southernmost perimeter.
Due to the rugged steep terrain and very dry fuels, the safest firefighting strategy is to build indirect line along roads and ridges to contain this fire. Firefighters are “going direct” and fighting the fire at the edges when safe and sensible to do so. Protective measures are being taken to preserve seasonal cabins on the Tule River Reservation. A structure protection group is working in Johnsondale, Camp Whitsitt, Ponderosa and Camp Nelson areas and elsewhere to protect structures. Additional firefighters and equipment are arriving daily to this incident. This is a full suppression fire. The fire is expected to grow today and tomorrow. There is a Critical Fire Weather Watch in place today due to a small cold front that will arrive in the late afternoon today and cause the winds to shift. Shifting winds along with the very dry air and very dry fuels will make this a challenging day for firefighters. Tomorrow will also be challenging: a second, larger cold front will come into the area this evening and a Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 5PM tonight through 8 PM tomorrow. Firefighters are doing everything they can to protect the Trail of 100 Giants Sequoias and the large trees elsewhere in the fire area. They are removing fuels from around the base of the trees and have built handline around the grove. The goal is to manage a low intensity fire around the big trees that is beneficial for them. Road Closures – Western Divide Highway (M107) is closed at North Road (21S50) intersection near Quaking Aspen Campground to M50 above California Hot Springs. M99 is closed above Kernville at Sherman Pass (22S05) intersection.
Evacuations Warnings and Orders:Tulare County Sheriff has issued an evacuation warning for the community of Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen. The area of warning includes M107 at Dome Rock, north to HWY 190/M90 at North Road (21S50), east to Route 21S05, at Needles Trail, south to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (22S82). Should you choose to evacuate now, avoid all road closures and use HWY 190 to Porterville. NEW An evacuation warning is now in place for Camp Nelson and surrounding communities.
Evacuation ORDERS remain in effect for Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow Road (22S82), south to M99 at Sherman Pass Road, west to M107 and M50.The temporary evacuation point, where you may find information and assistance, is at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave. Individuals who may need assistance evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462.Please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for more information.
Sequoia National Forest officials have expanded the Forest closure area due to the fire burning across the Western Divide Highway north of Johnsondale. The west side is closed on M50 where it reaches the Forest boundary near California Hot Springs. The southern edge ties in with the northern perimeter of the French Fire closure area near White River. The northern edge ties in with the Castle Fire closure area near Ponderosa. M 99, coming from Kernville is closed near Johnsondale Bridge. Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia for more information and a map of the closed areas.
Hunting and Fire Closures:The Regional Fire Order that closed the Sequoia National Forest as well as the other California forest was lifted several days ago. The good news is that the Sequoia National Forest is open. However, parts of the Sequoia National Forest have been closed due to the fire danger – and for the safety of the firefighters. The rest of the Forest is open. Please check the Sequoia National Forest web page for the maps of the closure areas (https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia ) and go hunting outside of these areas; there are at least 4 separate closures at this time. The Forest is trying to keep as much of the forest open as possible for everyone to use.
Emergency Notification Alerts: Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com. Smoke Advisory can be found here.
InciWeb
Wildfire
Prescribed Fire
Burned Area
Response
Other