Single Publication

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT:  329 personnel, 4 crews, 6 engines, 2 helicopters, 6 dozers and 9 water tenders 

CURRENT SITUATION: The Basin Fire is 14,023 acres, with no increase in acreage. Containment remains at 95%. High heat in this long duration heat wave continues. The hot and dry heat over an extended period has made the fuels more receptive, this may produce visible smoke in unburned areas of the fire within control lines; no new fire growth is expected. Temperatures today are expected to reach 103 degrees in lower elevations of the fire line and should begin to gradually decrease into next week. The National Weather Service – Hanford issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect through the weekend with the chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning. 

Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fire lines and backhaul any equipment that is no longer needed.  More resources have been released to assist with other wildfires throughout California. 

Northern perimeter:  Firefighters continue to improve hand lines in an effort to remove available fuel and increase containment. Unburned areas within the fire’s western perimeter may produce smoke. Aircraft will assist firefighters in monitoring the fire line and will use water drops if necessary.

Suppression Repair:  Suppression repair efforts continue in areas of the fire that are no longer posing a threat. Crews are taking advantage of existing roads, rivers, and barriers to limit fire. Due to very dry fuels, firefighters have not been able to use dozers due to the risk of a spot fire starting. Hand tools will be used in these areas to return them to as natural a state as practical, until the use of mechanical equipment can be re-introduced.

An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING is in effect through Sunday morning, with high day time and night time temperatures. Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 103 degrees today, with relative humidity 18% to 44%. Winds are forecast to remain low, from the west at 6 to 10 mph, with gusts to 22 mph. These figures will change with predicted thunderstorms. 

The Basin Fire started on June 26, 2024, and the cause is currently under investigation.  The fire is at 2000-4500 feet 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. 

Fire updates are posted on Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casnf-basin-fire.

Fresno County EVACUATION ZONES:  The recent evacuation warnings in Fresno County, for the Basin Fire, have been rescinded. 

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 Order No. 05-15-52-24-15 for the Basin Fire area. Effective July 5, 2024, the closure will remain in effect until July 31, 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. 

Check https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for the Basin Fire closure area map. Roads & trails in this area on the Sierra National Forest are CLOSED.

The Sierra National Forest has implemented temporary fire restrictions prohibiting campfires except within designated recreation sites. Operating vehicles off roads or trails is prohibited, and welding is prohibited. Smoking is only allowed in vehicles, buildings and designated recreation sites. 

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for more information or call the Sierra National Forest (559) 855-5355 during business hours for questions.