Creek Fire Update for October 3, 2020

INCIDENT FACTS 

Incident Start Date: 09/04/2020 

Incident Start Time: 6:33 p.m. 

Incident Type: Wildland Fire 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Incident Location: Both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Pool, Shaver Lake, Big Creek and Huntington Lake. 

Forest/CAL FIRE Units: Sierra National Forest, CAL FIRE Units Fresno-Kings and Madera-Mariposa-Merced 

Unified Command Agencies: Northern Rockies Team 4, CAL FIRE, California Teams 5, Fresno and Madera County Sheriffs 

Size: 312,063 

Containment: 49% 

Firefighter Injuries/Fatalities: 10 injuries 

Expected Full Containment: 10/31/2020 

Structures Threatened: 4,576 

Structures Destroyed: 503* 

Structures Damaged: 39* 

CURRENT SITUATION 

Current Situation: 

Temporary Entry Permits:    

The Sierra National Forest will allow individuals who were evacuated from campgrounds, camping areas and cabins in the south side of the fire an opportunity to return and collect their belongings today and tomorrow as well as on October 10th and 11th.  Additional dates and northern access will be added as requested permit numbers dictate.  Please follow this link for more information on how to obtain an access permit.  Permit Holder Access/Recreation Residence 

 Weather Information: 

The strong area of high pressure that has kept temperatures well above season averages will slowly begin to weaken into early next week. This hot and dry regime will keep a hold through at least Saturday, before temperatures start to slide back towards normal early next week.  

Very dry conditions and light terrain driven diurnal winds will continue with poor humidity recovery again expected overnight along thermal belt areas. Smoke transport will follow diurnal winds with upslope transport during the afternoon and smoke returning to lower elevations with downslope/down drainage flows overnight. 

 Fresno County: SOUTH ZONE 

The Conditions remain constant related to the south area’s expected fire activity. The weather pattern continues to support the drought stressed fuels contributing to active fire behavior. A strong high pressure system will provide a warm and dry, but stable fire environment. 

 Madera County: NORTH ZONE 

Active burning of surface fuels within the Ansel Adams Wilderness (north side of the fire) continues, but is confined by natural barriers. In the northwest corner fire fighters continue to secure the edge, mopping up and increasing containment line depth. The southwest area from the San Joaquin River north to Central Camp will transition into patrol status now that that crews have completed mop up and widened and secured the containment line. Helicopters flew throughout the day yesterday supporting fire operations and are expected to be available throughout the day today. Additional helicopters are arriving today to supplement existing resources.  

 Removal of hazardous standing dead trees (“snagging”) continued along roads within and adjacent to the fire area. Crews are currently working in the Portuguese Creek and Strawberry Mine areas now that the southern portions of the 81 Road have been completed.  Structure protection and assessment is also ongoing. 

 The fire is still 10-12 miles west of Mammoth Lakes, little forward progression is occurring due to the natural barriers of rock and the Lions Fire (2018) burn scar. Conditions continue to be monitored very closely. Additional information is available via the Sierra National Forest Facebook page, or the following link:  

https://creek-fire-preparednessmonomammoth.hub.arcgis.com 

 Cattle in and around the fire area are being rounded up and moved. Be aware of cattle, those working with them, fire personnel and other hazardous conditions when returning to the fire impacted area once it re-opens.  

 Please respect the Temporary Flight Restriction. The use of drones is not permitted over the fire area. A drone incursion will result in the grounding of all firefighting aircraft. Remember, "If you fly - We can't." 

Evacuation Map: 

The evacuation map of Creek Fire evacuations for Fresno and Madera counties is available online: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=28ce52cb86bf49dea0adef5a78b3c1b5  

Incident Briefing: 

The Sierra National Forest will host an Incident Briefing Monday at 7pm via Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF/ 

Damage Inspection: 

* Damage assessments are about 98% complete.  

Fresno County and Madera County: 

An interactive damage assessment map for Fresno County and Madera County is available: Fresno County Damage Assessment Map or https://bit.ly/3kxDyvI 

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts  

Fresno County: https://t.co/Otack9NyKc?amp=1 

Madera County: mcalert.org 

Mariposa County: Sheriff Office, sign up with Everbridge: msoalert.com 

Temporary Flight Restriction: Perimeter runs from South Merced River Fork on the south end of Yosemite National Park, south to Millerton Lake roughly following Route 41, east to Kings Canyon National Park, and north to Inyo National Forest. See: tfr.faa.gov 

Evacuation Warnings: 

Madera County:. For a complete list of evacuation warnings, see the Sheriff’s website (QR code and complete web address in yellow highlight). 

Road Closures: 

Fresno County: Maxon Road at Trimmer Springs Road, Sycamore Road at Watts Valley Road, Highway 168 at Lodge Road, Lodge Road at Tollhouse Road, Auberry Road at Jose Basin Road, Duncan Canyon Road at Burrough North Road 

Madera County: Cascadel Road at 8S09 Cascadel Rd, Mammoth Road at 59701 Mammoth Road, Beasore Road at Road 274, Road 274 at Central Camp Road, and Road 632 at Buckskin Lane.  Closure updates are listed at: https://www.facebook.com/MaderaSheriff/. 

Temporary Evacuation Points: 

Fresno County