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Windy Fire

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Unit Information

220 E. Morton Ave 
Porterville, 
93257 
220 E. Morton Ave 
Porterville, 
93257 

Incident Contacts

  • Sequoia National Forest
    Email:
    denise.alonzo@usda.gov
    Phone:
    559-539-2607
    Hours:
    Mon - Fri 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Windy Fire Update, September 27, 2021

Windy Fire
Publication Type: News 10/26/2022

RESOURCES: 2,303 personnel, 63 hand crews, 142 engines, 15 helicopters, 32 dozers, 8 water tenders

Structures Threatened: 2,000 Residences, Commercial 100, Structures Destroyed: Commercial, 2

 
CURRENT SITUATION: The Windy Fire is 85,383 acres with 2% containment and is a full suppression fire. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and the Sequoia National Forest, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The fire perimeter increased 7,000 acres in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, the most intense fire activity continued to be on the southwest side near Sugarloaf Peak and on the southeast side near Marshall Meadow and Bull Run Meadow. Today, gusty westerly winds are predicted on the ridgetops and upper slopes which will increase fire activity on the southeast side in the Kern River Canyon. Last night on the southwest side, the fire was active in the Sugarloaf Mountain Park and Pine Flat areas. Fire engines were engaged in structure defense in the area. Crews also continued mopping up hotspots along the dozer and hand lines that extend into California Hot Springs. Today, the Sugarloaf and Pine Flat areas continue to be a priority and crews are providing structure defense, extinguishing hot spots and improving containment lines.

 
On the southeast side, the fire was very active along Speas Ridge southward towards Tobias Peak. Today gusty winds have the potential to significantly increase fire activity as the fire moves east in the Kern River Canyon. The Fire Behavior Specialist briefed firefighters this morning on the potential for rapid fire growth in the area due to westerly winds and long-range spotting (hot embers that are blown ahead of the active fire). Crews will continue clearing around structures in the Fairview area as the fire moves closer.

 On the west side, firefighters continue to construct direct and indirect containment lines utilizing dozers from Lone Pine Mountain north to Wheaton. Crews will be conducting a defensible firing operation, supported by retardant dropping aircraft along the Two and Quarter Road to contain the fire as they move toward Wheaton.

 On the north side, crews are improving extisting containment lines along the Coy Flat Road (FS Road 21S94) northeast to Coy Flat. Crews and engines are in place in Camp Nelson and Mountainaire.

 On the northeast side near Ponderosa, crews continue holding and improving containment lines from the Western Divide Highway (M50) east to Lloyd Meadow Road (FS Road 22S28). On the east side, along Lloyd Meadow Road, crews continue to strengthen containment line and extinguish any hots spots (burning trees, stumps, etc.) southward to M99.

 WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today, the Incident Meteorologist is forecasting windy conditions over higher terrain, with gusts up to 20-30 MPH ahead of a cold front that is expected on Tuesday. Temperatures will be cooler with increased humidity.

 EVACUATIONS ORDERS: The following information is from the Tulare County Sherriff’s Office.  Evacuation orders and warnings can change suddenly, please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/  for Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Area Map. For more information, please call 2-1-1.
  •  The communities of Sugarloaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, White River, Idlewild, Posey, Panorama Heights, Poso, Balance Rock, Spear Creek, from the existing Hot Springs Evacuation Order west to King George Peak, south to County M56, including Oak Flat, Twin Peak, to Vincent Ranch at the Tulare-Kern Counties Border, east to Portuguese Peak, and back north to Dunlap Meadow.
  • 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 attached roads.
  • Camp Nelson and surrounding communities.
  • 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.
  • Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen. The warning area includes M107 at Dome Rock, north to Highway 190/M90 at North Road (FS Road 21S50), east to Route 21S05, at Needles Trail, south to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (FS Road 22S82).
  • The areas of McNally’s. From Sherman Pass Road to Corral Creek.
EVACUATION WARNING: Both sides of the Kern River from the Gold Ledge Campground south to River Kern, 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.

 ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: 
  •  At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
  • Highway 190 and Rio Vista
  • MT99 at Gold Ledge Campground
  • MT56 at Fountain Springs
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION ALERTS: Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com.

 EVACUATION CENTER: A evacuation center is in place at Porterville College on 100 E. College Ave. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462. For more information, visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/  or call 2-1-1.

 WINDY FIRE ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTER:  Domestic animals and poultry are being accepted at the Tulare County Animal Service Shelter, 14131 Avenue 256, Visalia, CA 93292.  Large animals and livestock can be taken to the International Agri-Center, 4500 S Laspina St, Tulare, CA 93274.

 DAILY SMOKE OUTLOOK:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra-Sequoia  AirNow: Fire and Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/.

 SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia for more information and a map of the closed areas.

 HUNTING IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST: Hunting is possible outside of Forest Closure areas. Please refer to the link above for areas closed to public access at this time.