Single Publication

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM
Mark Morales – Incident Commander
KNP Complex Update - September 21, 2021
Acres: 25,147 acres (based on infrared flight)
Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 11, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 965 personnel including 33 crews, 24 engines, 17 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 highest priority for operations is the protection of life and infrastructure of the park, the Sequoia National Forest, and the surrounding communities including Three Rivers. There was about 1,399 acres of growth on the fire yesterday. Smoke conditions are poor today and are expected to limit air operations for most of the day. Much of the region is 20 to 30 percent drier and 5 to 10 degrees warmer and as a result increases the potential for more active fire behavior. The smoke that was produced yesterday is now
impacting air quality in Visalia, Fresno and the Central Valley.
 
The second highest priority for this operation is the protection of the giant Sequoia trees and some areas that may be impacted by the fire include Lost Grove and Muir Grove. Preparation work is beginning in these areas. The California Army National Guard is helping with mop up operations and to make sure that there is no further threat to the lodges and infrastructure in the Wuksachi Village area.
 
The fire behavior and intensity has been reduced as it moved into areas where prescribed fire treatments were previously completed in the Giant Forest area. CAL FIRE has also been working on direct and indirect fire line (with aircraft reinforcement) along Paradise Ridge to keep the fire in check near Ash Mountain.
A community meeting will be held at the Central Sierra Chamber of Commerce in Pinehurst this evening at 7 p.m. The address is 54120 Hwy. 245, Pinehurst, CA.
 
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.

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