Single Publication

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT:  213 personnel, 3 crews, 6 engines, 2 helicopters, 3 dozers and 7 water tenders 

CURRENT SITUATION: The Basin Fire is 14,023 acres, with no increase in acreage. Containment remains at 95%. The threat for dry thunderstorms in the vicinity of the fire area continues through Sunday evening.  Slightly cooler, but still hot temperatures are expected over much of the next week along with low humidity and poor overnight recoveries.  Winds will mainly be daytime driven, except near any thunderstorms that develop.  No new fire growth is expected. Temperatures today are expected to reach 103 degrees in lower elevations of the fire line. The National Weather Service – Hanford issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect through the weekend. 

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

Fire Suppression:  Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor for any flare-ups, threats to the containment line, and visible smoke. 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. Due to very dry fuels, firefighters have not been able to use dozers due to the risk of starting a spot fire. 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 19% to 24%. Winds are forecast to remain low, from the west at 6 to 10 mph, with gusts to 17 mph. These figures will change with the potential for thunderstorms this weekend.

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.

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 Orders No. 05-15-52-24-19 & 20 for the Basin Fire area. Effective July 9, 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.