Single Publication

Unified Command: CIIMT5 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 7,526 acres

Percent Contained: 11% 

Personnel: 1,459

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 Saturday 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 11% contained and approximately 77% percent of primary control lines have been constructed. Crews are continuing to improve and hold direct control lines. Overall acreage increased by 532 acres.

As expected, fire moved through the Bennett Creek drainage basin and reached the perimeter of primary control lines along the Bennett Creek ridge to the west and along the South Fork Kaweah River to the south. The direct control line along the South Fork Kaweah River is holding, and water-dropping helicopters worked to directly control fire that moved just over Scratch Creek on the southeast flank. A spot fire near Case Mountain was identified and contained with hoses and dozer lines. Fire crews used drones for a strategic firing operation in Nutmeg Grove. This was a defensive operation to protect the grove from a potential high-intensity upfill run of fire. On the northern flank, water-drops from aircraft were used to slow the rate of fire spread as it backed down toward the East Fork Kaweah River. Overnight, crews continued strategic firing operations along the northwest dozer line toward Case Mountain Road. Widening of the indirect control line along Mineral King Road is nearly complete. To the east, the Fire Use Modules continued constructing indirect control lines north toward Horse Creek and Mineral King Road. Crews continued monitoring fire activity in the Eden Creek Grove of giant sequoias.

Today, as weather becomes hotter and drier, crews are working to hold the gains made over the last two days. Firefighters are prioritizing the northern flank, working to slow fire progression with water-drops as it backs down toward the East Fork Kaweah River. Crews are holding the spot fire near Case Mountain with hose lines and by improving constructed dozer lines encircling the fire. On the western and southern flanks, firefighters are holding containment lines west of Bennett Creek and along the South Fork Kaweah River. Hand crews will continue working directly to contain the fire that spread just over Scratch Creek. On the eastern flank, Fire Use Modules continue working to construct indirect control lines to join Horse Creek and Mineral King Road.

EVACUATION NOTICES: A NEW Evacuation ORDER has been issued for zone TLC-E094-B, and a NEW Evacuation WARNING has been issued for zone TLC-E094-D. An Evacuation ORDER remains in effect for zone TLC-E128-B, and an Evacuation WARNING remains in effect for zones TLC-E128-A, TLC-E127-B, and TLC-E094-B. For a current list of evacuations and to find your zone, go to: http://protect.genasys.com/

WEATHER: Warm and dry weather continues over the area with sunny, hazy, and smoky skies. Temperatures will change little. Winds will be diurnal and terrain-driven today and into tonight. Winds will be out the northeast and downslope in the early morning, out of the southwest by mid-morning, and gusting over ridges in the afternoon. Sheltered areas will see upslope winds predominate. The inversion will break in the afternoon. The weather on Sunday will continue to be warm and dry, with low humidity.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Expect smoke impacts similar to the past few days. The area from Three Rivers to Ash Mountain will see the heaviest concentrations in the morning, with levels reaching VERY UNHEALTHY to HAZARDOUS before the smoke begins to lift in the early afternoon. The East Fork Kaweah River toward Mineral King Road will likely see HAZARDOUS levels late afternoon and early evening. The Giant Forest Village can expect smoke to move in later in the afternoon, increasing to UNHEALTHY by tonight. Springville should see improved conditions, with levels averaging MODERATE for the day. Smoke produced during the day will be transported aloft over the valley as far north as Stockton, but will be dispersed at upper levels and have minimal impacts at the surface. 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 is closed to the public. 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.