Single Publication

Structures Threatened: 2,000 Residences, 100 Commercial Buildings

Structures Destroyed: 14 Residences, 14 Outbuildings, 2 Commercial Buildings
Injuries: 4

 VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING: Tonight at 7 P.M., there will be a virtual public meeting for the Windy Fire on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page and on Zoom (Meeting ID: 160 212 1141; Passcode: J227!q; Call-in phone number: 669-254-5252). Prior to the meeting, please submit questions you want addressed to 2021.Windy@firenet.gov. If you cannot attend the live meeting, the video will be available on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page or the Windy Fire YouTube channel.

 TULARE COUNTY RESIDENT INFORMATION: Residents requesting information on the status of their property can call the Tulare County Information Hotline at (559) 802-9790. Affected property owners should complete the September Lighting Fire Information Form online at: https://bit.ly/3ETdZjI.

 CURRENT SITUATION: The Windy Fire is 92,473, acres with 56% containment and is a full suppression fire. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and the Sequoia National Forest, which includes the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The fire increased 1,236 acres in the last 24 hours.

Last night crews continued to strengthen and improve containment lines ahead of today’s forecasted weather.  The incident meteorologist briefed firefighters this morning on the potential for critical fire weather conditions which will bring very low humidity and increased winds, especially in the Kern Canyon north of Kernville. Crews conducting mopup (extinguishing hot spots within the fire’s perimeter) were instructed to watch for hot embers, carried by the wind, that have the potential to start new fires and spread rapidly.

On the northwest side, on the Tule River Indian Reservation, crews continue constructing dozer and handlines from Wheatons south to Lone Pine Mountain. On three prominent ridges, north of Lone Pine Mountain, crews continue to conduct a strategic firing operation, using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Drone) to gain containment in steep and inaccessible terrain.

 On the east side, south of Johnsondale, crews continue to construct handline towards Speas Ridge. Past Speas Ridge, direct suppression tactics are not feasible due to steep and rocky terrain. Crews are looking for opportunities to construct containment line from Baker Peak north towards Ant Canyon. They are also removing brush and vegetation along the Whiskey Flat Trail (32E35) to improve a secondary containment line. Helicopters will be used to drop water and fire retardant along the fire’s edge, to slow the progression eastward towards the Kern River. If the smoke inversion lifts, the Bombardier CL-515, (Super Scooper) planes are on standby in Bakersfield and will be available to help with suppression efforts. Structure defense engines are also in place in Fairview.

 On the south side, from Baker Peak west to Sugarloaf, crews have a few more days of work before the containment line is completed. Outside of the containment line all spot fires, burning in the pockets of dead and down trees, have been contained.  On the southwest side, crews continue extinguishing hot spots (burning trees, stumps, etc.) north from Sugarloaf to California Hot Springs.

Along the fire’s perimeter, in all other areas, crews continue tactical patrols to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots.

 WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: High pressure will remain over the region with a continuation of dry conditions and warmer than normal temperatures. A weak low-pressure system will pass over Southern California and lower temperatures will return back to near normal by the middle of next week, with continued dry conditions.

 EVACUATION ORDERS: The following information is from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuation orders and warnings can change suddenly. Please refer to the Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Map at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for the latest information.

• California Hot Springs and Pine Flat areas. The evacuation order includes M-504 at Tyler Creek, Southeast to Pine Flat, West to M-56 and Fire Control Road, North up Tyler Creek Road. This includes structures, side roads, and all attached roads.
• Sugarloaf Sawmill.
• Mountain Aire and Rogers Camp.
• Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow Road (FS Road 22S82), south to M99 at Sherman Pass Road, west to M107 and M50.
• The area of McNally’s from Sherman Pass Road to Corral Creek.

• Both sides of the Kern River from the Gold Ledge Campground south to Riverkern, Tulare County, at the Tulare/Kern border. This warning will include all private properties, businesses, residences, structures, campsites, campgrounds, Forest Service roads, access roads, attached roads, and trails.
• Alpine Village, Camp Nelson, Cedar Slope, Coy Flat, Pierpoint, Quaking Aspen, Ponderosa, and Sequoia Crest.
• Sugarloaf Village, Panorama Heights, Poso Park, Idlewild, Pleasant View, Balance Rock, Posey, and Vincent Ranch. The boundaries will be from Sugarloaf Peak west to Buck Peak; south to Vincent Ranch at the Tulare/ Kern County Line; east to Forest Service Road 24S07; and north to Sugarloaf Peak.

•  At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
• Quaking Aspen and M107
• MT99 at Gold Ledge Campground
• MT56 at Fountain Springs