Single Publication

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM
Mark Morales – Incident Commander
KNP Complex Update - September 20, 2021

Acres: 23,743 acres (based on infrared flight) Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 11, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 810 personnel including 29 crews, 27 engines, 19 water tenders, and 8 helicopters

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. The two fires that comprised the complex, the Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire, are now considered to be a single fire.

There was about 1,700 acres of growth on the fire yesterday. Most of it occurred in the Crystal Cave area where the fire got into a “bowl,” a topographic feature, which allowed it to move rapidly uphill. Smoke is expected to moderate fireweather conditions this morning with mild and dry conditions. Winds in the afternoon will push some smoke eastward. An uptick in wind and thinning smoke will allow for better ventilation in the late afternoon/evening. This will be the most critical portion of the burn period.

Fire crews are continuing with structure protection planning and mitigations for the Giant Forest and Lodgepole developed areas to minimize any potential fire impacts or structure damage. Spot fires are being actively monitored. There was no growth in the direction of the Three Rivers community.

Air quality is seriously affected in Three Rivers. Particulate matter readings have been in the “hazardous” range for much of the day. Base camp has moved from Three Rivers to Woodlake to give fire personnel a reprieve from poor air quality.

There have been no changes to evacuation warnings or orders at this time, but residents in areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under an evacuation warning or order, as well as other evacuation resources, at
www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia National Park is closed to the public and large portions of Kings Canyon National Park have now been closed. The closure includes all lands within the boundaries of Sequoia National Park west of the Pacific Crest Trail; west of the Generals Highway and south of Highway 180 and all lands within the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park west of
the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin.

Communities further from the parks are also feeling air quality impacts. Track your local air quality at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra-Sequoia.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded
until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Fire Information (MEDIA): (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); (PUBLIC): (559) 492-9988; (EMAIL) 2021.KNP@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/
Facebook/Twitter: @SequoiaKingsNPS