Tule River Tribal Members Working on the Windy Fire



 

 There are many local resources assisting with the fire-suppression effort on the Windy Fire. Pictured from left to right: Shane Santos, Daniel Robles, and Gabe Santos.

 Shane Santos was acting as an operations branch director trainee on the northwest corner of the fire, including parts of the fire within the Tule River Indian Reservation. An operations branch director is responsible for implementing the incident action plan in an assigned region of the fire. After graduating high school, Shane started his career as a forestry aide for the Tule River Tribe's Natural Resources Department and assisted with fire response within the reservation. The next year he was hired full time with the Tule River Fire Department where he worked his way up from entry-level firefighter to fire chief. Shane’s career continued with the USDA Forest Service, where he worked on the Sequoia National Forest as well as the Los Padres National Forest. In February of this year, Shane joined the Bureau of Land Management and is now the zone fire management officer for Central California Region Fire and Aviation Management Program. Shane is also a member of a Type 1 incident management team that responds to national incidents of the highest levels of size and complexity.

 Daniel Robles owns his own business as an advanced tree faller and has worked all over California for private timber companies. Advanced fallers must be proficient in performing high complexity saw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing, and limbing. Daniel is pictured here after clearing hazard trees along the road to the Eagle Creek Tree on the Tule River Indian Reservation.

 Gabe Santos has been working as a felling boss on the Windy Fire along with Daniel Robles. A felling boss leads a felling team to remove hazard trees in and around a fire area that threaten important infrastructure, such as roads and trails, and is responsible for their team’s safety on wildland fire incidents. Gabe has worked for the Sequoia National Forest for many years as a member of the Springville Hotshots and as an engine crewmember. Gabe is currently a fire engine operator for the Los Padres National Forest.

 Shane, Daniel, and Gabe are all members of the Tule River Yokut Tribe and have spent their lives recreating and working outdoors. Growing up on the Reservation and learning connection and respect for the land (Mother Earth) had a large influence on all three of them to work in the field of natural resources. 

  

Resources: 2,284 Personnel, 57 Hand Crews, 112 Engines, 17 Helicopters, 14 Dozers, 13 Water Tenders
Structures Threatened: 2,000 Residences, 100 Commercial Buildings
Structures Destroyed: 14 Residences, 14 Outbuildings, 2 Commercial Buildings
Injuries: 4

EVACUATION ORDER DOWNGRADED: Effective at 12 noon today, Sheriff Boudreaux will downgrade the Evacuation Order for the following communities: California Hot Springs and Pine Flat. The following communities will remain in an Evacuation Order: White River Summer Home Tract, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, Sugarloaf Mountain Park.

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 94,746, acres with 68% 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 2,273 acres in the last 24 hours.

The fire’s perimeter is over 200 miles long and crews have now completed and secured 68 percent of the containment lines around the fire. To ensure the fire doesn’t escape containment, firefighters continue tactical patrols looking for and extinguishing any burning trees, stumps and vegetation within the fire’s perimeter. They also are falling hazard trees along roadways to make passage safe for vehicles. Two areas remain a priority for securing containment; the northwest side on the Tule River Indian Reservation south to M50 (at the switchbacks), and the eastside in the Kern River Canyon from Johnsondale south to Baker Peak.

On the northwest side, indirect dozer line and handlines have been completed from M50, at the switchbacks, northwest to Lone Pine Mountain and to Wheatons on the Tule River Indian Reservation. Crews continue to look for opportunities to directly attack the active fire front and stop its movement to the west. In the rugged and accessible drainages where it is not safe for firefighters to work, crews are implementing a tactical firing operation to remove vegetation between the indirect containment line and the fire’s edge. The firing operation is expected to take several days to complete.

On the eastside in the Kern River Canyon, crews are building line south to Speas Ridge and from Baker Peak north towards Ant Canyon. South of Speas Ridge the area is very rugged and inaccessible and helicopters are being used to drop water and fire retardant to cool hot spots.  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. Crews are also removing brush and vegetation along the Whiskey Flat Trail (32E35) to improve a secondary containment line. Structure defense engines are in place in Fairview.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: A weak high pressure system will remain over the region today with dry conditions and warmer than normal temperatures.

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.

• White River Summer Home Tract, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, Sugarloaf Mountain Park
• 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.

EVACUATION WARNINGS:

• 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.
• 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.

ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:

• At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
• Quaking Aspen and M107
• MT99 at Goldledge Campground
• MT56 at Fountain Springs
• M50 at the Hot Springs Ranger Station for northbound traffic
• FS Road 23S05
• Sherman Pass Road at Blockrock Ranger Station

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION ALERTS: Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com.

EVACUATION CENTER: Located at Porterville College,100 E College Avenue. 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.

 (The following information was taken directly from either Tulare County Sheriff's Office website or Facebook page.)

 Sheriff to Downgrade Evacuation Orders for Some Areas Impacted by Windy Fire

Effective at 12 noon on Monday, October 4, 2021, Sheriff Boudreaux will downgrade the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning for the following communities:

• California Hot Springs
• Pine Flat

The following communities will remain in an Evacuation Order:

• White River Summer Home Tract
• Sugarloaf Saw Mill
• Sugarloaf Mountain Park

Roadblocks will be at M50 at the Hot Springs Ranger Station stopping northbound traffic. FS 23S05 will be closed to the public on the south side of Pine Flat Mobile Home Park due to fire personnel and equipment in the area.

Prior evacuation orders and warnings not addressed here will remain in effect, and portions of the Sequoia National Forest around the fire zone are closed to the public.

Current Situation: Sunday evening, October 3, 2021 (also posted on Sequoia National Forest's Facebook page)

The #WindyFire is currently estimated to be 94,032 (a 1,559-acre increase from Sunday morning’s reported acreage). Containment is 65 percent.

On the west side where the fire is burning in the Tule River Indian Reservation, weather conditions provided crews with an opportunity to start the planned strategic firing operation off dozers lines. They are slowly advancing the fire downslope to create a buffer that will halt the main fire’s westward spread. Indirect fire-suppression tactics are being used on the west side because crews and equipment cannot safely get close to main fire. They have constructed dozer and handline as close as possible to the fire’s edge to minimize the fire’s footprint.

On the east side, firefighters continued to mop up and secure the direct handline they constructed south of Johnsondale to Speas Ridge. Another favorable day for air operations allowed helicopters to conduct numerous water and retardant drops on the hottest area, between Tobias Creek and Ant Canyon, that the ground crews cannot access. The air-operations director reported that as of late afternoon, helicopters had dropped approximately 40,000 gallons of retardant today.

Along the contained sections of the fire’s perimeter, crews are continuing the multi-day process of “mopping up,” or extinguishing, hotspots. They are also starting to backhaul excess equipment, supplies, and garbage. For example, fire hose, pumps, and tools that no longer needed on the firelines are being returned to the base camps where they will be prepared for shipping and returned to a national supply cache for cleaning and storage.

Monday’s weather is expected to be similar to Sunday’s, with warm, dry, very windy conditions persisting. Cooler, moister weather isn’t likely to enter the area until late this week.

Join us on the Sequoia National Forest’s Facebook page for a livestreamed public meeting tonight at 7:00. You can also call or watch on Zoom (meeting ID: 160 212 1141; passcode: J227!q; call-in phone number: 669-254-5252).

 At the meeting's conclusion, the video of the meeting will be available on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page or on YouTube.

Resources: 2,284 Personnel, 64 Hand Crews, 122 Engines, 17 Helicopters, 15 Dozers, 12 Water Tenders

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.

EVACUATION WARNINGS:

• 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.

ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:

•  At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
• Quaking Aspen and M107
• 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: Located at Porterville College. 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.

Current Situation: Saturday evening, October 2, 2021 (also posted on Sequoia National Forest's Facebook page)  

 The #WindyFire is currently estimated to be 91,963 acres (a 726-acre increase from Saturday morning’s reported acreage). Containment is 52 percent.

 On the north side of the fire, south of Camp Nelson, some unburned vegetation in the fire’s interior started to burn actively today; however, it did not pose a threat to containment lines. All firelines around the perimeter that are considered contained are holding.

 On the east side of the fire, crews have been able to suppress the fire directly from Johnsondale southward. They are confident they will get to Speas Ridge before dropping into Flynn Canyon where direct suppression-tactics will no longer be feasible. South of Flynn Canyon, helicopters are being used to drop water on the fire’s edge to halt or slow its progression eastward toward the Kern River. On the southeastern corner west of Baker Point, the individual spot fires are all contained.

 Along the portion of uncontained fireline on the south side, crews are finding and extinguishing numerous hotspots and expect to work in that area for a couple more days before achieving containment. On the southwest side of the fire this morning near White River, the fire crossed—or “slopped over”—the control line and grew to about 2 acres before crews contained it and connected it back into the primary control lines.

 On the west side, the fire is still actively advancing westward, but it is generally moving downslope and not exhibiting extreme behavior. On three dominant ridgelines in the Tule River Indian Reservation, crews initiated a strategic firing operation to encourage the fire to progress evenly as it comes down to the ridgelines.

 Very dry daytime and nighttime conditions are expected to persist into early next week. Stronger winds could materialize late tonight, with gusts up to 20 miles per hour possible. Tomorrow, the Kern River drainage will be very prone to strong winds, with gusts 25–30 miles per hour anticipated; elsewhere, gusts will be up to 20 miles per hour. The result will be several hours tomorrow of near-critical to critical fire weather conditions along the Kern River valley and adjacent slopes.

 Join us for a virtual public tomorrow, Sunday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. It will be livestreamed on Facebook and on Zoom (meeting ID: 160 212 1141; passcode: J227!q; call-in phone number: 669-254-5252).

 An ASL interpreter will be in attendance.

 If you cannot attend live, the video will be available afterward on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page and also on YouTube for you to watch at your convenience.

 (The following information is a news release from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District)

 

Air Quality Alert Due to Wildfire Smoke

KNP Complex and Windy Fire Send Smoke Into the Valley

Smoke infiltration from the Windy and KNP Complex fires in Tulare County combined with high pressure and poor dispersion have prompted air quality officials in the San Joaquin Valley to issue an Air Quality Alert. Smoke is expected to continue to impact the San Joaquin Valley through Monday, October 4, when a low-pressure system moving over the Valley is forecast to improve dispersion. The District warns residents being impacted by smoke to remain indoors to reduce their exposure to particulate matter (PM) emissions.

Particulate matter can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic bronchitis, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Individuals with heart or lung disease should follow their doctors’ advice for dealing with episodes of PM exposure. Those with existing respiratory conditions, including COVID-19, young children and the elderly, are especially susceptible to the health effects from this form of pollution. Anyone experiencing poor air quality due to wildfire smoke should move to a filtered, air-conditioned environment with windows closed. Common cloth and paper masks being used as protection from COVID-19 may not be sufficient protection from wildfire smoke inhalation.

For details on current and past wildfires affecting the Valley, as well as resources to protect yourself from exposure to wildfires smoke, visit the District’s Wildfire Information page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires. In addition, you can access RAAN to check air quality at any Valley location at myRAAN.com, view the EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke map (https://fire.airnow.gov/) and find links to temporary foothill monitors.

For more information, visit www.valleyair.org or call a District office in Fresno (559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500).

On Sunday, October 3, 2021, at 7 p.m., there will be a virtual public meeting for the Windy Fire.

 The meeting will be livestreamed 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).

 An ASL interpreter will be in attendance.

 Prior to the meeting, submit questions or concerns you want addressed during the meeting to 2021.Windy@firenet.gov.

 At the meeting's conclusion, the video of the meeting will be available on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page or the Windy Fire YouTube channel for viewing at your convenience if you cannot attend live. 

Resources: 2,342 personnel, 66 hand crews, 128 engines, 17 helicopters, 16 dozers, 11 water tenders
Structures Threatened: 2,000 Residences, 100 Commercial Buildings
Structures Destroyed: 14 Residences, 14 Outbuildings, 2 Commercial Buildings
Injuries: 4

EVACUATION ORDER DOWNGRADED: Effective at 12 noon today, Sheriff Boudreaux will downgrade the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning for the following communities: Sugarloaf Village (NOT including Sugarloaf Saw Mill), 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 this time, only residents are permitted to return with identification and proof of residency.

TULARE COUNTY RESIDENT INFORMATION: 14 homes and 14 outbuildings have been reported destroyed. Residents requesting information on the status of their property can call the Tulare County Information Hotline at (559) 802-9790.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Windy Fire is 91,237, acres with 52% 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 1,433 acres in the last 24 hours.

Smoke from both the Windy Fire and the KNP Complex are causing very unhealthy air quality. Locations on the Tule River Indian Reservation are registering some of the worst air quality in the nation. Individuals with existing respiratory, lung or heart conditions should limit their exposure by staying indoors.

Another very warm and dry night, with poor humidity recovery, was observed over the fire area.  A small fire (2-acres) was reported outside of the perimeter, near White River, and crews are working to contain it. The top priority continues to be the southwest side where crews continue to make good progress securing containment lines and providing structure defense around Sugarloaf and Sugarloaf Mountain Park north towards Pine Flat and California Hot Springs. Crews are constructing and improving indirect (away from the fire’s edge) containment lines from M50 (at the switchbacks) northwest to Lone Pine Mountain and looking for opportunities to construct direct handline at the fire’s edge.

On the northwest side, crews continue to construct direct and indirect containment lines from Wheatons south to Lone Pine Mountain on the Tule River Indian Reservation. If conditions permit, crews will use a UAS Drone (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) to assist with a tactical firing operation.  The tactical firing operation will remove vegetation along the indirect containment line and reduce the threat of the fire advancing to the west.

On the north side, firefighters continue tactical patrols (extinguishing any burning vegetation, stumps, etc.)  along the Coy Flat Road (FS Road 21S94) northeast to Coy Flat. Crews will continue to improve containment lines around the structures in Mountain Aire and Rogers Camp.  On the northeast side near Ponderosa, crews continue holding and improving containment lines east to the Lloyd Meadow Road (FS Road 22S28) and south to Johnsondale. Crews will continue improving containment lines and extinguishing any burning stumps, trees and vegetation.

On the east side, in the Kern River Canyon, the fire continues to hold on the upper west slope between Flynn Canyon south to Baker Peak. Today, firefighters continue to build direct containment lines south from Johnsondale to Speas Ridge. If the smoke inversion lifts, helicopters and the Bombardier CL-515, (Super Scooper) will be used to drop retardant and water on the upper ridge to slow the fire’s movement east towards the Kern River. Firefighters will also remove brush and vegetation along the Whiskey Flat Trail (32E35) to improve a secondary containment line. Crews will continue structure defense in Fairview.

On the south side, the fire has not moved much since hitting the 2016 Cedar Fire burn scar which has allowed crews to construct direct handline at the fire’s edge west towards Sugarloaf. Outside of the containment lines, all of the spot fires burning in the pockets of dead and down trees have been contained.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Very dry and warm conditions with low humidity are forecasted for today.

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

• 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.
• 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.

EVACUATION WARNING:

• 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.

ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:

• At Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road
• Quaking Aspen and M107
• 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.  

 (The following information was taken directly from Tulare County Sheriff's Office website or Facebook page.)

 Sheriff to Downgrade Evacuation Orders for Some Areas Impacted by Windy Fire


 Effective at 12 noon on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, Sheriff Boudreaux will downgrade the Evacuation Order to Evacuation Warning for the following communities:

• Sugarloaf Village (NOT including Sugarloaf Saw Mill)
• Panorama Heights
• Poso Park
• Idlewild
• Pleasant View
• Balance Rock
• Posey
• 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. This area was not impacted by fire.

 At this time, only residents are permitted to return with identification and proof of residency.

 A road closure remains in effect at Old Stage Road and Jack Ranch Road.

 Prior evacuation orders and warnings not addressed here will remain in effect, and the National Forest is still closed to the Public.

 Due to the current fire activity, fire personnel and equipment will continue to travel on Mineral King Road. Because of the narrow roadways, and to prevent any incidents and delays, Mineral King Road will be closed to the public during the hours of 7:30-9:30 AM and 7:30-9:30 PM to allow fire personnel and equipment through the area in a timely manner. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office will be enforcing these closures and encourages residences to plan accordingly.

 Residents living in these areas may return to their homes after showing proof of residence to law enforcement officers. Proper documentation must include the person’s name and address within the impacted area. Examples include a driver’s license, utility bill or address documentation from the U.S. Post Office for people who use a post office box.