Single Publication

Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2 Dave Bales– Incident Commander

Acres: 84,166 acres       

Containment: 11 %

Start Date: September 10, 2021

Cause: Lightning

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

Resources: 1,866 personnel including: 38 crews, 111 engines, 34 water tenders, 20 dozers and 13 helicopters

Yesterday, resources successfully conducted tactical firing operations to keep the fire east of Hartland by utilizing natural and constructed holding features along the northwest perimeter. Structure protection continues in Wilsonia, Grant Grove, Quail Flat, and Weston Meadow. Spot fires north of Generals Highway were actively burning through heavy accumulations of fuels on the forest floor. On the north side, bucket drops were used in areas east and north of the Generals Highway. On the southern end, helicopters supported crews as they constructed hose lays on the west side of Mineral King Road.

Today, firefighters continue to construct containment lines along Old Sawmill Road. Hand crews are building direct line from the Park Ridge Lookout (NPS Tower) to the Generals Highway. These efforts are to protect the communities of Wilsonia and Grant Grove. Farther east, firefighters continue to build direct line to contain the fire that has crossed north of Generals Highway near Stoney and Cabin creeks. On the eastern edge of the fire, resources are conducting tactical firing operations east of Morro Rock to protect the Giant Forest Grove. On the southern perimeter, crews are working to prevent the fire from moving toward Oak Grove. Resources on the west flank are working to secure a spot fire overnight. Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft are available to support ground resources across the fire area as smoke lifts and visibility allows.

Firefighters are working hard to contain the KNP Complex Fire. There is a lot of interest in the condition of campgrounds, Sequoia Groves, and historic structures. Current fire conditions are preventing a thorough assessment of the many structures across the fire. In the early days of the fire, two structures in Oriole Lake were damaged or destroyed. Despite clearing of vegetation, water drops and structure wrap, the historic cabin in Redwood Mountain Grove was destroyed by fire on October 4, 2021.

Lighter winds combined with an increase in humidity and a decrease in temperatures should help to slow fire spread. Clouds will begin to move into the area over the next few days.

Please continue to turn on your lights and watch out for fire equipment moving up and down roads. We want to keep both the firefighters and the public safe.

For more detailed information on Evacuation orders and Warnings you can visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0

Information about how to prepare for evacuations can be found at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/

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

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Fire Information:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-996

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: