Single Publication

Basin Fire Update         

Saturday, July 6, 2024                               

Public Fire Information: 559-468-6809, 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. 

Media Information: 559-492.9967 

Email: 2024.basin@firenet.gov

Facebook: @SierraNF

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT:  1,305 personnel, 32 crews, 71 engines, 14 helicopters, and 16 dozers. 

CURRENT SITUATION: The Basin Fire is at 14,020 acres. Containment is 46%.  The heat wave continues to impact the fire by drying vegetation and producing heat stress challenges for fire personnel. With fire activity reduced, a few resources are beginning to be released, are shifting to suppression repair, or held in reserve to respond to any new fire activity. Ground resources and two helicopters were released last night to the Lake Fire in the Los Padres National Forest.

• Eastern perimeter:  The eastern side of the fire continues to remain within the constructed lines, however rollout of burning material may still occur.  This area is being monitored by aircraft and firefighters in the area. 

• Southern perimeter:  Containment line has been secured along the South Fork of the Kings River and the area is being monitored. Crews are working on suppression repair and backhauling trash.

• Western perimeter:  Crews have boxed in the fire with a combination of dozer line and retardant. Firefighters continue to patrol and increase the depth of containment lines.

•  Northern perimeter: Crews succeeded in constructing a helicopter landing area west of the Dinkey Creek drainage despite steep, rugged terrain. This major accomplishment is enabling firefighters to build fire line in an area that was previously inaccessible.  Crews were flown in yesterday and are working on fire-line construction.

• Contingency Lines:  North of the fire perimeter, along the PG&E lines and vicinity, work is continuing on contingency fire lines using crews, dozers, masticators, and feller-bunchers, to block the fire if it starts moving north.

SHAVER LAKE FIREWORKS:  Today is the Shaver Lake fireworks show.  If you are visiting - or an area resident - you will have lots of company!  Thousands of people are expected at the lake this evening and drive times will be very long on Highway 168 on the way to Shaver Lake.  It may take up to 3 hours to leave the Forest after the show.  Plan for a slow drive home and have plenty of water along in your car. 

Please support our firefighters by respecting the Sierra National Forest closure area.  Keep in mind that no fireworks are permitted on federal land and that the vegetation is very dry. Stay hydrated and enjoy your weekend!

An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING through next week continues to affect the fire with high temperatures, drying vegetation, and little relief at night. Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 108 today and relative humidity remains low. Winds are forecast to remain low, from the west at 8-12 mph and gusts to 15. The National Weather Service has reported that “A heat wave this intense, this long, has not been experienced in this region in 20 years.” Cooling stations have been set up at the fire command post and on the fire line to help reduce the cumulative effects of heat stress on firefighters.

The Basin Fire started on June 26, 2024, and the cause is currently under investigation. Currently, the fire is 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. 

Updates are posted on InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casnf-basin-fire.

EVACUATIONS: The mandatory evacuation order remains in place 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:  Evacuation zones will begin to change as fire containment increases.

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e7d6006a016a444db8b210ac4d2eb5cf

 FIRE FATIGUE:  This area's history of stressful wildfires means that some community members are experiencing worry, anxiety, "disaster fatigue," and other reactions that are normal responses to these abnormal events. Fresno County Behavioral Health has resources available at https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Behavioral-Health/Care-Services/Disaster-Fatigue.

 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 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.

FOREST VISITORS: This Fire may affect YOU!!! 

•The following campgrounds are CLOSED due to this fire: Bear Wallow Campground, Black Rock Campground, Gravel Flat Group Campground, Kirch Flat Campground, Kirch Flat Group Campground, Oak Flat Campground, Ross Crossing Campground, Sawmill Flat Campground, Bretz Mill Campground. 

•Check https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for the Forest closure area map. Roads & trails in this area are CLOSED.

• This is NOT a good year for a campfire outside of any of the open campgrounds.  Please see the message above to contact the Sierra National Forest.

•AIR QUALITY is being impacted by Basin Fire smoke. Please check the air quality for your destination at www.airnow.gov. Today’s Smoke Outlook is available.

•  Fireworks are NOT permitted on Federal land

•  Camp safely and keep hydrated this holiday week!