Single Publication

October 11, 2021

Acres: 87,468 acres                          

Containment: 30%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                           

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest

Resources: 2,118 personnel including: 45 crews, 130 engines, 40 water tenders, 21 dozers and 14 helicopters

North Zone: Favorable weather has provided crews a welcome reprieve from aggressive fire behavior, and little to no forward progression is expected over the next operational period. Mop up and removal of suppression equipment has commenced as line completion has progressed in the northwest. Direct line is now in place from the Eshom Valley around the north end of the fire to Stony Creek on the east. Firefighters will reinforce these lines over the next several days. On the eastern flank near Giant Forest Grove, crews will search for and extinguish hot spots and work on contingency lines around the grove. Aircraft is available to fly if conditions are favorable. Fire managers will be paying particular attention to forecasted high winds and gusty conditions over the next 24 hours and are prepared to respond accordingly should the fire move beyond its current footprint.

South Zone: Yesterday, aircraft was utilized to place retardant around the Redwood Meadow Grove and Case Mountain Grove, providing protection in the event of any additional spread. Additionally, blackline was added in the southern zone north of Ash Mountain up towards the zone break. A hotshot crew was strategically inserted on the southwestern edge of the fire perimeter and the East Fork of the Kaweah River. The crew has completed approximately 1 mile of handline, working to the east. This work will continue over the next few days. Firefighters are focusing on work to be done for the west and south portions of the fire. Backhaul operations continue on the western portion of the fire to remove hose lays, pumps, and other excessive equipment that is no longer needed to support suppression efforts. Firefighters continue laborious work in Atwell grove where they are constructing handline in dead plant material such as leaves, bark, and twigs that is up to 3 feet deep. This work will ensure both the trees are protected and they are able to extinguish any residual heat near the fire's perimeter. The constructed line will continue north and connect to a scree field, or natural holding feature.

A virtual public meeting was held last night and is viewable here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCe2YK0AO0yGBpcYosb3cguA

Weather: A cold front is moving rapidly through the area and will bring much lower temperatures, higher humidity and some precipitation. Unseasonably low temperatures will remain once the cold front passes, but dryer air will move in.

Safety: Please continue to respect closures and reduce speeds when traveling in and around the fire area.

Evacuations: Evacuation ORDERS and WARNINGS are in place. For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0. Learn to prepare for an evacuation by visiting https://www.readyforwildfire.org/.

Closures: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed. View closures at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/

Smoke Impacts: Current air quality updates can be found at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Fire Information:

North Zone

PUBLIC and MEDIA: (559) 494-4881 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

South Zone

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967

EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/sequoiakingsnps/ and https://www.facebook.com/sequoiaNF/

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/SequoiaKingsnps and https://twitter.com/sequoiaforest

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/Sequoiakingsnps

YOUTUBE: