Single Publication

Command: SACIMT2 

Fire Size: 14,081

Percent Contained: 79%

Personnel: 833

Cause: Lightning

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

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA

CURRENT SITUATION: Southern Area Complex Incident Management Team Two assumed command of the Coffee Pot Fire at 7:00 a.m. this morning, Sunday, September 15th. Due to the current condition and successes on the ground, the incident is no longer being managed in unified command with CalFire.

Yesterday, firefighters continued to make progress in the northeastern section of the fire. Crews worked on the control line in the steep terrain on the north side of Horse Creek and continued to monitor and mop-up the lines from the East Fork Kaweah River to Scratch Creek. Crews around the remainder of the fire perimeter continued to hold and patrol the lines, backhaul unneeded equipment, and mop-up farther into the burned area. Crews also worked in the communities along Mineral King Road; chipping smaller materials, and removing snags and hazardous trees as a part of contingency planning. 

Today, firefighters will continue handline construction around Horse Creek and monitor the fire as it slowly consumes fuel inside the control lines. Aircraft will continue to support the work on the ground, dropping water to cool hot spots where needed. Crews will continue mop-up efforts; gridding for hot spots and cutting and piling debris to secure the line on the southern, western, and northwestern perimeter of the fire. Contingency work will also continue along Mineral King Road east to Silver City.

WEATHER: A strong low-pressure system will move over the region tomorrow. Ahead of that transition expect a slight decrease in temperature today, with colder conditions overnight. Tomorrow, cold weather will move into place, dropping temperatures well below normal for this time of year. There will be a slight chance of light precipitation (snow possible above 8,000 feet), but a better chance exists later in the week.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Expect similar conditions today as yesterday throughout the outlook area. Hammond will continue to see MODERATE air quality conditions, while areas far north and south of the fire will be in GOOD air quality today. Areas in the Owens Valley can expect MODERATE air quality conditions today, with a majority of the smoke impacts being from the fires to the south of the Coffee Pot fire. 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 11:00 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.