Single Publication

Unified Command: CAIIMT15 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 13,524 acres 

Percent Contained: 37% 

Primary Strategic Control Line: 96% 

Personnel: 1,368 

Cause: Lightning 

Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 a.m. 

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA 

Tulare County Sherriff’s Office has announced the evacuation warnings for the following areas TLC-E128-A, TLC-E093-A and TLC-E093-B, have been LIFTED. The area includes north of South Fork Drive, west of East Fork Kaweah River, east of Salt Creek Road and south of Craig Ranch Road. 

Evacuation ORDERS have been reduced to WARNINGS for the following areas: TLC-E094-B, TLC-E094-C, TLC-E094-D and TLC-E094-E. The area includes Case Mountain area, just north of Mineral King Road, east of Oak Grove and west of the Park Boundary line. Due to fire conditions in the area, there will be road closures along Mineral King Road, between Oak Grove and the National Park Boundary. For public safety reasons, the access through Mineral King Road may be limited by fire activity, and there may be significant time delays. This will be in effect until further notice and can change at any time. 

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, with warm temperatures and low humidity, a small portion of the fire crossed the control line east of Eden Creek Grove. Air operations quickly responded with targeted water drops to suppress the breach, while hotshot crews promptly built direct control lines around the area. Along Horse Creek, additional retardant was applied, and during the night shift, drones conducted controlled burns to reduce fuel, ensuring a low-intensity, slow-moving fire within control lines. Air operations flew the southern and western flanks, reporting minimal heat, while crews backhauled equipment and continued road rehabilitation efforts.

Today, crews will focus on strengthening handlines from Horse Creek to the East Fork Kaweah River. Hotshots will reinforce control lines around areas where the fire crossed the containment lines, with air operations providing water suppression and retardant support as needed. Firefighters will extend mop-up efforts deeper into the burned areas along the southern and western flanks while crews continue hazardous tree removal and road rehabilitation.

WEATHER: High pressure will maintain hot and dry conditions for another day before a cooling trend begins mid-week. Winds will shift to an up-canyon flow by mid-morning, gradually strengthening throughout the afternoon. Expect sunny skies in the morning, with some cloud cover in the afternoon that could limit peak temperatures. By evening, winds will shift to a downcanyon flow, bringing cooler air into the area.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Increased smoke can be expected from fire activity in the Eden Creek area. Owens Valley may see MODERATE conditions this afternoon. Areas closest to the fire; Three Rivers, Hammond, and Giant Forest will continue to see overall MODERATE conditions this morning, with clearing in the late afternoon as the plume lifts, then smoke settling back down in these areas overnight. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

EVACUATION NOTICES:  The Tulare County Fire Department has issued Evacuation WARNINGS for zones TLC-E094-B, TLC-E094-C, TLC-E094-D, TLC-E094-E, and TLC-E095. To find your zone, please refer to: protect.genasys.com

FIRE INFORMATION: A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide fire information and answer questions. 

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and trails accessed from the road, including the Ladybug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed. Recreational access to the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park is closed to the public. This applies to Mineral King campgrounds, trailheads, and area trails. All other areas of the parks are open but are likely to be impacted by varying levels of smoke and poor air quality. Park closure information is available online at nps.gov/seki. The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.