Single Publication

Trout Fire: 15,702 acres - 1% containment

Long Fire: 8,908 acres - 0% containment

Total Personnel: 900

Current Situation: For over a week, firefighters on the Trout Fire and Long Fire have been using a variety of fire suppression techniques to lessen fire intensity, build control lines, and achieve complete containment. To accomplish this, crews are constructing control lines with hand tools and heavy equipment, extinguishing burning vegetation that could spread fire beyond the current perimeter; and sometimes conducting low-intensity firing operations to halt the main fire’s spread and intensity. Each tactic is strategically implemented to meet the unique challenges of different topography and vegetation. As a result of dedicated efforts, control lines on each fire are now being strengthened and are a step closer to being reclassified as containment line. 

Trout Fire: On the Trout Fire, firefighters spent Sunday night conducting strategic burns from Sherman Pass R. along Boone Meadow Rd. and 21 Rd. This was supported by a UAS (unmanned aerial system). During favorable nighttime weather conditions, the area between the fire’s perimeter and roadway were burned with deliberation and low intensity. Today, firefighters will continue to work off Sherman Pass Rd. to connect sections of control line that are approximately a half mile apart. Hotshots will be added to the east side of the fire to build handline while other crews look for natural barriers and favorable locations to build control line from Deadwood Meadow and Sirretta Pass to the fire’s edge. 

Long Fire: Fire behavior continues to diminish on the Long Fire as more and more sections of control line are completed. Several days of work are having an effect on keeping the fire from growing and acreage is holding at 8,908. Today, along the southern perimeter, where control line has already been established, crews will strengthen the line and extinguish smoldering vegetation. Between the head of the fire in the northeast and South Fork Kern River at the southwest perimeter, multiple teams of hotshot crews will work toward one another. Working through rocky terrain they will continue line construction and receive aerial support from helicopters dropping water and retardant. 

Weather & Air Quality: Showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for today. The most probable areas to see rainfall will be around the Trout Fire. All are watching the sky due to the increased potential for lightning strikes and outflow winds that could quickly create intense fire behavior. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr). 

Closures & Restrictions: Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout, Long, and Packsaddle Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-12. Fire restrictions are also in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. Both orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management’s Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. View the emergency closure order here: tinyurl.com/4mprcb9b  

Evacuations: Tulare County evacuation warnings are in effect for zones TLC-E274-B and TLC-E261-B, the area north of Canebrake Road, south of Sacatar Trail, west of Inyo County line, east of the South Fork and Kern Rivers.