Single Publication

Current Situation: Tuesday evening, October 5, 2021 (also posted on Sequoia National Forest's Facebook page)

The #WindyFire is currently estimated to be 97,014 acres (no change from Tuesday morning’s reported acreage). Containment is 72 percent.

On the east side of the fire north of Baker Peak, the fire is still burning in Tobias Creek and Ant Canyon. Five hotshot crews have been able to access additional portions of the active fire perimeter from the west through the burn. In places, they are directly suppressing hotspots, containing the fire, and halting further eastward growth. In areas where they cannot safely go, they are using helicopters and the Super Scoopers (CL-415s) to conduct water drops, which have been very effective at reducing fire behavior and spread.

The edge of the fire on the west side near Devils Thumb and Thompson Peak still has some heat concentrations in it, and ground crews are being assisted by air resources as they are available. Further north in the Tule River Indian Reservation, crews initiated another hand- and aerial-firing operation today. This evening, Operations Section Chief Trainee Ernie Villa reported that “the fire was gradually progressing in a nice and easy pattern downslope toward containment lines.”

The incident meteorologist (IMET) is expecting the moderating weather trend to persist, with temperatures continuing to drop and humidity levels rise. Measurable precipitation is anticipated Thursday night and Friday as a cold front moves into the area. The IMET has estimated a 60-percent average chance of rain across the fire, with snow likely above 7,000 feet.

Photos: Firefighters working near the Trail of 100 Giants have been hauling excess hose off the fireline and returning them to the base camp.