Single Publication

Unified Command: CAIIMT15 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 13,715 acres 

Percent Contained: 37% 

Primary Strategic Control Line: 96% 

Personnel: 1,067 

Cause: Lightning 

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

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA 

COFFEE POT FIRE PUBLIC MEETING: CIIMT 15 will host a public meeting about the Coffee Pot Fire tomorrow, Thursday, September 12th, at 6:00 PM at the Three Rivers Memorial Building: 43490 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. Those unable to attend can watch the meeting live on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page ( @SequoiaKingsNPS) or YouTube channel (@sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018). 

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, due to hot, dry, and windy conditions the fire breached control lines along Horse Creek and east of Eden Creek. Previously established retardant lines limited the fire’s spread along Horse Creek and hotshot crews quickly constructed a new control line around the area east of Eden Creek while air operations conducted tactical water drops to support their efforts. South of Horse Creek, low-intensity firing operations and additional retardant were used to strengthen the control line. Firefighters on the southern and western flanks focused on reinforcing fire lines, gridding for hotspots, and backhauling equipment from contained sections of the line. On the northern flank, road preparation continued along Mineral King Road, east toward Silver City.

Today on the northeast portion of the fire, hotshot crews will continue constructing and strengthening direct control line north toward Horse Creek and south around Homers Nose with assistance from aviation assets. Firefighters will monitor the line and continue backhaul and mop-up efforts along the southern and western flanks. Chipping operations and road improvement will continue along Mineral King and Salt Creek Road. 

WEATHER: An area of low pressure will bring cooler temperatures today along with gusty winds. Morning drainage winds will shift to an upcanyon flow by mid-morning and increase in speed in the afternoon. Winds will be west along the East Fork Kaweah River, but turn to a more northwest direction up Horse Creek near the confluence of the two drainages. 

SMOKE IMPACTS: Due to the forecasted winds and fire established on the east of Horse Creek, increased fire activity is expected today leading to increased smoke production. Areas north of the fire will see poor air quality this morning, with clearing late afternoon as the inversion lifts. Air quality will be poor again overnight and through the morning with conditions being in the UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS range and possibly UNHEALTHY conditions in Three Rivers, Hammond, and Giant Forest. 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.