Single Publication

Basin Fire Update         

Wednesday July 18, 2024        

Information: (559) 468-6809, 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. 

Email: 2024.basin@firenet.gov

Facebook: @Sierra NF

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT:  137 personnel, 1 crew, 3 engines, 0 helicopters, 14 Heavy Equipment, and 7 water tenders 

CURRENT SITUATION: The Basin Fire is 14,023 acres, with no increase in acreage. Containment remains at 95%. A gradual warming trend returns to the fire area the rest of this week and into next week, bringing temperatures above normal. An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect Monday morning through Wednesday morning. Mountain showers and thunderstorms are possible near the fire for the next few days, with best chances east of the fire. Daytime relative humidity will be 20% to 30%, with poor to moderate overnight recoveries, and mostly terrain driven winds. Temperatures today are expected to reach 98 degrees in lower elevations of the fire line. Winds are forecast to remain low, from the southwest at 9 mph, with gusts to 18 mph. 

Fire Suppression: Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor for any flare-ups and threats to the containment line. Unburned areas within the fire’s western perimeter may produce smoke.

Suppression Repair: Suppression repair efforts continue in areas of the fire that are no longer posing a threat. Firefighters are ahead of initial expectations using heavy equipment and hand tools in these areas to return them to as natural a state as practical.

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 10, 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.