Single Publication

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING: On Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., there will be virtual public meeting for the Windy Fire. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page and on Zoom (meeting ID: 160 212 1141; passcode: J227!q; call-in phone number: 669-254-5252). If you have questions you want addressed, please email them prior to the meeting at  2021.Windy@firenet.gov.

RESOURCES: 2,136 personnel, 58 hand crews, 139 engines, 14 helicopters, 20 dozers, 7 water tenders
Structures Threatened: 2,000 Residences, Commercial 100, Structures Destroyed: 0, Commercial, 2

CURRENT SITUATION: The Windy Fire is 78,428 acres with 2% containment. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and the Sequoia National Forest, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Due to extreme drought conditions, the fire perimeter increased over 7,000 acres in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, the most intense fire activity was on the southwest side in the Sugarloaf and Pine Flat areas, where it was reported that several homes were damaged. When it is safe, damage assessments of property will be completed.

 Last night, firefighters completed a defensible firing operation around Sugarloaf to stop the fire from advancing into the residential area. There are reports of spot fires near the White River Summer Home Tract and crews are working this morning to get containment lines around them. Today, the highest priority continues to be structure protection in California Hot Springs, Sugarloaf and Pine Flat areas.

In the south/southeast side, the fire was very active around Tobias Peak and continues to move east towards the Kern River. Firefighters will be working in the Fairview area clearing around structures. They are also working along the Sugarloaf Road (23S16) and providing structure protection in the Vincent/Tobias Meadow area. Crews are scouting the Tobias Creek Trail for a potential containment line.

On the west side, firefighters continue to construct direct and indirect containment lines utilizing dozers from Lone Pine Mountain north to Wheaton. Crews will be conducting a defensible firing operation, supported by retardant dropping aircraft along the Two and Quarter Road to contain the fire as they move toward Wheaton.

On the north side, crews continue to construct and improve containment lines along the Coy Flat Road (FS Road 21S94) northeast to Coy Flat. Crews and structure protection engines are in place in Camp Nelson and Mountainaire.

On the northeast side near Ponderosa, crews continue holding and improving the containment line from the Western Divide Highway (MT50) east to the Lloyd Meadow Road (FS Road 22S28). On the east side, along the Lloyd Meadow Road, crews continue to strengthen the containment line and extinguish any hots spots (burning trees, stumps, etc) south to MT99.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Incident meteorologists are forecasting increased winds this afternoon with gusts around 15-20 MPH, which will lift the smoke inversion and increase the potential for plume dominated fire activity and long-range spotting.

EVACUATIONS ORDERS: The following information is from the Tulare County Sherriff’s Office.  Evacuation orders and warnings can change suddenly, please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/  for Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Area Map. For more information, please call 2-1-1.

•  The communities of Sugarloaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, White River, Idlewild, Posey, Panorama Heights, Poso, Balance Rock, Spear Creek, from the existing Hot Springs Evacuation Order west to King George Peak, south to County M56, including Oak Flat, Twin Peak, to Vincent Ranch at the Tulare-Kern Counties Border, east to Portuguese Peak, and back north to Dunlap Meadow.
• 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 attached roads.
• Camp Nelson and surrounding communities.
• 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.
• Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen. The warning area includes M107 at Dome Rock, north to Highway 190/M90 at North Road (FS Road 21S50), east to Route 21S05, at Needles Trail, south to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (FS Road 22S82).
• The areas of McNally’s. From Sherman Pass Road to Corral Creek.

ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:

• At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
• Highway 190 and Rio Vista
• MT99 at Gold Ledge Campground
• MT56 at Fountain Springs

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION ALERTS: Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com.

EVACUATION CENTER: A evacuation center is in place at Porterville College on 100 E. College Ave. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462. For more information, visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/  or call 2-1-1. WINDY FIRE ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTER:  Domestic animals and poultry are being accepted at the Tulare County Animal Service Shelter, 14131 Avenue 256, Visalia, CA 93292.  Large animals and livestock can be taken to the International Agri-Center, 4500 S Laspina St, Tulare, CA 93274.

DAILY SMOKE OUTLOOK:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra-Sequoia AirNow: Fire and Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia for more information and a map of the closed areas.

HUNTING IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST: Hunting is possible outside of Forest Closure areas. Please refer to the link above for areas closed to public access at this time.  Please note that Sherman Pass Road is closed to Blackrock.