Single Publication

Unified Command: CAIIMT15 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 13,347 acres 

Percent Contained: 27% 

Primary Strategic Control Line: 96% 

Personnel: 1,365 

Cause: Lightning 

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

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA 

The Tulare County Fire Department has announced that the evacuation warnings for the following areas, TLC-E-127B and TLC-E-128B, have been lifted effective Saturday, September 7th, 2024. The area includes north of South Fork Drive, East of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek, fire control road), South of Skyline Drive (South of Case Mountain and Homers Nose), and West of the National Park Boundary. 

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, helitankers continued retardant drops from Horse Creek to the East Fork Kaweah River. In the Southeast, crews systematically gridded the area, searching for hotspots, and mop-up operations and equipment backhaul continued along the southern flank. Firefighters advanced deeper into the area south of Salt Creek Ridge, where air operations supported their efforts with water drops on hot spots. In the north, crews continue to prep Mineral King including water tenders applying retardant on the north side of the road. Firefighters continued to patrol and mop-up any areas where the fire breached control lines last week on the fire’s western flank. 

Today, firefighters will patrol, strengthen, and mop-up the handline east of Scratch Creek. Crews will work to enhance indirect handlines from Horse Creek to the East Fork Kaweah River as the fire moves closer to control lines. Air operations will provide targeted water drops to support crews spiked near Eden Creek. Road preparation efforts continue along Mineral King Road, heading east toward Silver City. Additional air support, using bucket drops, will help slow the fire’s progression and reduce its intensity as it backs into the East Fork Kaweah River and Horse Creek. On the western flank, crews will focus on backhauling equipment and mitigating hazardous trees. 

WEATHER: A weak area of low pressure is moving into northern California, which will cause slightly cooler temperatures. However, the weather will stay dry. Winds will generally come from the southwest, but upslope and up-canyon winds are expected to start mid-morning. 

SMOKE IMPACTS: Expect similar smoke impacts today in areas closest to the fire. Hammond and Three Rivers will remain in the MODERATE air quality range throughout the day. Giant Forest will experience MODERATE air quality by mid-day, with clearing to GOOD air quality by late afternoon. Areas farther north and east will stay in the GOOD air quality range. Pinehurst and Springville will continue to see MODERATE conditions. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov. 

EVACUATION NOTICES: The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has issued Evacuation ORDERS due to current fire conditions for Genasys zones TLC-E094-C, TLC-E094-E, TLC-E094-D, and TLC-E094-B. An evacuation ORDER, also known as a mandatory evacuation, means that all residents and visitors should leave now before the fire reaches the community. If you are unable to evacuate and require assistance, please call 9-1-1. In case of sheltering needs or questions regarding sheltering, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.  

The Tulare County Fire Department has also issued Evacuation WARNINGS for zones TLC-E093-A, TLC-E093-B, TLC-E095, and TLC-E128-A. 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.