Single Publication

Unified Command: CIIMT5 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 6,994 acres

Percent Contained: 3% 

Personnel: 1,419

Cause: Lightning
Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 AM

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA

FIRE INFORMATION: Fire information will not be posted on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook or Instagram pages from Friday through Monday. Fire information will be available on inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknp-coffee-pot-fire and videos will continue to be posted on the Park’s YouTube channel at @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018. A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market on Friday and Saturday from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM to provide fire information and answer questions.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Coffee Pot Fire is 3% contained and about 76% percent of primary control lines have been constructed. Firing operations are continuing along control lines. Overall acreage has increased by 1,311 acres.

Yesterday, the south flank of the fire moved west along the South Fork Kaweah River from the Scratch Creek junction, and north up the east side of the ridge near Bennett Creek. Firefighters continued to hold the direct control line along Scratch Creek. Crews on the western flank worked to slow the rate and intensity of fire spread with back burning. Firefighters also monitored fire activity in the Salt Creek and Lady Bug Groves of giant sequoias. In the north, fire is backing downslope toward Lookout Point and the East Fork Kaweah River. Water-dropping aircraft were used to slow the fire’s spread and intensity. Crews continued brushing along Mineral King Road toward the constructed indirect control line that joins Horse Creek and the East Fork Kaweah River. Fire Use Modules constructed indirect control lines from the containment line at Homers Nose north toward Horse Creek and Mineral King Road. 

Today, firefighters' priority is along the western and northern flanks of the fire. Crews are working to hold the direct control line established overnight on the western and southern flanks. Firefighters are improving direct control lines along Scratch Creek and South Fork Drive. To the north, aircraft are using water-drops to slow fire spread toward the East Fork Kaweah River. Brushing is continuing along Mineral King Road. Crews are actively monitoring the intensity of fire in the Lady Bug and Salt Creek Groves of giant sequoias.

EVACUATION NOTICES: An Evacuation ORDER has been issued for zone TLC-E128-B, the area 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 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Boundary. An Evacuation WARNING remains in effect for zones TLC-E128-A, TLC-E127-B, and zone TLC-E094-B. For a current list of evacuation orders and warnings, go to: http://protect.genasys.com/

WEATHER: Little change is expected, as high pressure continues to bring warm and dry weather over the area. Skies will be sunny with haze and smoke. Winds will be diurnal and terrain-driven today and into tonight, out of the northeast in the early morning, with southwest winds developing by mid-morning, and gusting over ridges by early afternoon. The inversion will break in the early afternoon. The weather on Saturday will continue to be warm and dry.

SMOKE IMPACTS: The smoke conditions today will be similar to yesterday, with slightly higher concentrations this morning and some relief in the afternoon, as the inversion lifts. The Three Rivers, Hammond, Ash Mountain, and Springville communities will see levels rise to UNHEALTHY with periods of VERY UNHEALTHY by late morning, but will recover to MODERATE in the afternoon before returning to UNHEALTHY overnight. The East Fork Kaweah River drainage will likely see levels reach HAZARDOUS mid-day but will improve to MODERATE overnight. Smoke is also moving into the valley and as far north as Mammoth, but these areas should remain between GOOD and MODERATE today and tonight. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

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. 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.

MINERAL KING FIRE IMPACTS: Recreational access to the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park will be closed to the public beginning today, August 30. This applies to Mineral King campgrounds, trailheads, and area trails. All other areas of the parks will remain open through the holiday weekend but are likely to be impacted by varying levels of smoke and poor air quality. 

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.