Single Publication

Sierra National Forest
Basin Fire Update
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Public Fire Information: 559-468-6809, 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Media Information: 559-492.9967 NEW
Email: 2024.basin@firenet.gov
Facebook: @SierraNF

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT: 951 personnel, 22 crews, 65 engines & 9 helicopters.

CURRENT SITUATION: One week after it started, the Basin Fire northeast of Fresno is at 13,166 acres. Firefighters have worked hard to safely earn 17% fire containment along the Kings River corridor, a positive trend. The fire is burning primarily in dry, dense grass within the Rough Fire scar from 2015.

Fire growth slowed under higher humidity for the second day in a row Monday, with some fire movement north toward Dinkey Creek, and also to the west/northwest. Priority firefighting efforts continued to effectively protect structures and energy infrastructure at Balch Camp. The southwest front of the fire burned up to the contingency bulldozer line on Sacate Ridge. Today, crews will keep improving this contingency line. The objective is to tie this line in with existing roads and to complete fuel breaks around the west and north of the fire. Three spike camps have been set up closer to the fire perimeter, allowing crews to overnight near the fire, reducing travel time so crews can work more on the fire line.

An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING over the next 7 days will affect the fire with hotter temperatures and drier vegetation. Highs of 85-95 are expected across the fire Tuesday, with minimum humidity of 20-22% & low wind.
The Basin Fire started on June 26th and the cause is currently under investigation. Currently, the fire is burning at 2000-4500 elevation, northeast of Pine Flat Lake, west of the Spanish Mountain, south of Black Rock Rd (11S012) and north of the South Fork of the Kings River.

EVACUATIONS: There is a mandatory evacuation order for Fresno County zones K29, K30, K31, K40, K41 & K166. Evacuation warnings are in effect for zones K61 & K76. Check the Fresno County Evacuation map:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e7d6006a016a444db8b210ac4d2eb5cf 

FOREST CLOSURE and FIRE RESTRICTIONS for the Basin Fire: To ensure the safety of the public and our firefighters, The Sierra National Forest has issued a Temporary Partial Forest Closure for the Basin Fire area. Effective June 30, 2024, the closure will remain in effect until July 30, 2024. We urge the public to respect all closure signs and barriers and to avoid the area to prevent any potential accidents or interference with firefighting efforts. Sierra National Forest has also implemented new temporary fire restrictions prohibiting campfires, welding, and smoking in non-developed campsites. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for more information or call the Sierra National Forest (559) 297-0706 during business hours for questions.