Windy Fire Update

 Friday, September 24, 2021 

Sheriff Issues New EVACUATION ORDER Due to Windy Fire

September 24, 2021, 10:15 a.m.
 

Sheriff Boudreaux has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for the communities of Sugar Loaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, White River, Idlewild, Posey, Panorama Heights, Poso, Balance Rock, Spear Creek, from the existing Hot Spring 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.

Please use Jack Ranch Road as the evacuation route.

An evacuation order means an immediate threat to life, safety, and property and all residents and visitors must leave now before the fire reaches the community. If you need assistance with evacuation, please call 9-1-1.

Road closures are in effect at Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road; Highway 190 and Rio Vista; MT99 at Gold Ledge Campground; and MT56 at Fountain Springs.

The temporary evacuation point, where you may find information and assistance, is at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave. Individuals with RVs/Trailers may find information about where they can park at the College, or you may go to the International Agri-Center 4500 W. Laspina in Tulare, Gate D, where you may dry camp.

If you are able, please evacuate your domestic animals with you. If you are unable to do so, and under an evacuation order, please call Tulare County Animal Shelter Manager Cassandra Heffington at (559) 679-6222.

Please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ for the Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Area Map. Call 2-1-1 for more information.
 

When preparing to evacuate, please consider bringing important documents, necessary medication, changes of clothing, and hygiene items. If you are able to evacuate your domestic animals, remember to pack food, leashes, and other items. If you are not able to plan to evacuate your domestic animals or livestock, please make arrangements with Tulare County Animal Services prior to transporting your animals to an available shelter location by completing the Fire Assistance Evacuation Form located on the Tulare County Animal Services website at: https://tcanimalservices.org/.../animal-evacuation-form/....

Evacuation orders remain in effect for Johnsondale, Camp Whitsett, California Hot Springs, Pine Flat, McNallys, Camp Nelson, Pierpoint, Coy Flat, Mountain Aire, Cedar Slope, Alpine Village, Rogers Camp, Sequoia Crest, Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen.
 

Tulare County Sheriff Issues New EVACUATION ORDERS Due to Windy Fire

September 24, 2021, 7:30 a.m.
 

Sheriff Boudreaux has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for the communities of 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 will continue to include structures, side roads, and attached roads.

An evacuation order means an immediate threat to life, safety, and property and all residents and visitors must leave now before the fire reaches the community.

If you need assistance with evacuation, please call 9-1-1.

A road closure is in effect at M56 at Tyler Creek Fire Station 40587 Hot Springs Road, CA Hot Springs, CA.

The temporary evacuation point, where you may find information and assistance, is at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave. Individuals with RVs/Trailers may find information about where they can park at the College, or you may go to the International Agri-Center 4500 W. Laspina in Tulare, Gate D, where you may dry camp.

If you are able, please evacuate your domestic animals with you. If you are unable to do so, and under an evacuation order, please call Tulare County Animal Shelter Manager Cassandra Heffington at (559) 679-6222.

Please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ for the Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Area Map. Call 2-1-1 for more information.
 

When preparing to evacuate, please consider bringing important documents, necessary medication, changes of clothing, and hygiene items. If you are able to evacuate your domestic animals, remember to pack food, leashes, and other items. If you are not able to plan to evacuate your domestic animals or livestock, please make arrangements with Tulare County Animal Services prior to transporting your animals to an available shelter location by completing the Fire Assistance Evacuation Form located on the Tulare County Animal Services website at: https://tcanimalservices.org/.../animal-evacuation-form/.

All evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect for the Windy Fire.

 Tulare County has issued an evacuation warning for California Hot Springs and the Pine Flats area:

 An evacuation warning has been issued for the communities of California Hot Springs and Pine Flat areas. The evacuation warning includes M-504 at Tyler Creek, Southeast to Pine Flat, West to M-56 and Fire Control Road, North up Tyler Creek Road. This will continue to include structures, side roads, and attached roads

Evacuation Order
An Evacuation Order has been issued for the area of McNally's Lodge. This evacuation order is from Sherman Pass Rd to Corral Creek. All structures, Forest Roads, dirt roads, access road, attached roads, and campgrounds.

An evacuation order means an immediate threat to life, safety, and property and all residents and visitors must leave now before the fire reaches the community. If you need assistance with evacuation, please call 9-1-1.

Evacuation Warning
An evacuation warning has been issued for the communities of California Hot Springs and Pine Flat areas. The evacuation warning includes M-504 at Tyler Creek, Southeast to Pine Flat, West to M-56 and Fire Control Road, North up Tyler Creek Road. This will continue to include structures, side roads, and attached roads.

Evacuation warnings are voluntary. Community members are strongly encouraged to prepare to evacuate if it becomes necessary. If individuals feel they need more time, please consider leaving the area now.

Should you choose to evacuate now, avoid all road closures and use M56/Hot Springs Dr to Porterville.

A road closure is in effect at M107 at HWY 190/M90 to Parker Pass.

Evacuation Point
The temporary evacuation point, where you may find information and assistance, is at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave. Individuals who may need assistance evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462.

When preparing to evacuate, please consider bringing important documents, necessary medication, changes of clothing, and hygiene items. If you are able to evacuate your domestic animals, remember to pack food, leashes, and other items. If you are not able to plan to evacuate your domestic animals or livestock, please make arrangements with Tulare County Animal Services prior to transporting your animals to an available shelter location by completing the Fire Assistance Evacuation Form located on the Tulare County Animal Services website at: https://tcanimalservices.org/animalservices/resources/animal-evacuation-form/.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (MT22S82), south to M99 at Sherman Pass Road, west to M107 and M50.

Evacuation warnings remain in effect for Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen.

Please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ for the Windy Fire Evacuation Warning Area Map. Call 2-1-1 for more information. Log on to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7841/ for incident information. 
 
Road Closures 

• M50 at Tyler Creek (Parker Pass Rd, California Hot Springs Rd.)
• Hwy 190 east of the power plant
• M99 is closed at Goldledge Campground, north towards Sherman Pass

The Windy Fire is 43,745 acres with 6% containment. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in the Sequoia National Forest, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The inversion layer lifted and paired with increased winds, which intensified fire activity and expansion on all fronts. Crews are in place in the threatened communities with structure protection as their top priority.   

The fire has impacted several giant sequoia groves. Yesterday, a resource advisor with fire effects experience on giant sequoias from Yosemite National Park visited the Trail of 100 Giants to assess the giant sequoia trees affected by the fire. The expert will continue to evaluate the condition of the trees.

A new mandatory evacuation order has been given for Camp Nelson and surrounding communities. Existing evacuation orders remain in place. No privately owned structures have been damaged or lost in Camp Nelson, Ponderosa, and the Tule River Indian Reservation. However, the Sequoia National Forest did lose the Mule Peak Lookout and the associated radio repeater.  They were destroyed in the early stages of the fire under extreme burning conditions and strong winds, despite being wrapped with fire-resistant material.

The fire expanded on all fronts yesterday before settling in overnight. The fire is trying to back down toward Camp Nelson, now under a mandatory evacuation order. Firefighting crews are working hard to secure this area, expecting to be aided by the road system, the burn scar of the 2020 Castle Fire, and Coy Flats. In the south, the fire crossed the 50 Road with spot fires to the southwest. Grass and brush should slow fire spread to the east, allowing firefighters to make a direct attack. Fire moved towards Redwood Corral before getting hung up on the road system. Redwood Corral and the Parker Peak Sequoia Grove on the Tule River Indian Reservation remain priorities at the western edge of the fire. 

On the eastern flank, the fire continued to burn actively but no major growth. Crews in that area will monitor the fire’s edge above Peppermint Ranch and US Forest Service Work Center. Protection for Ponderosa remains a priority. Structural protection groups have been deployed to protect the Johnsondale, Ponderosa, and Camp Nelson communities.

Today will see calmer weather conditions and RH (relative humidity) recovery. Temperatures have cooled to 75-80 degrees with 4-8 mph winds from the west/southwest and gusts up to 14 mph.

Tomorrow morning CIIMT 5 will be taking over management of the Windy Fire at 0700 for the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of the Tule River Indian Tribe, the Sequoia National Forest and Tulare County Fire Department

Road Closures:  

• M50 at Tyler Creek (Parker Pass Rd, California Hot Springs Rd.)
• Hwy 190 east of the power plant
• M99 is closed at Goldledge Campground, north towards Sherman Pass

Evacuation ORDERS:

• Camp Nelson and surrounding communities
• Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow 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 HWY 190/M90 at North Road (21S50), east to Route 21S05, at Needles Trail, south to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (22S82). Should you choose to evacuate now, avoid all road closures, and use HWY 190 to Porterville.

A temporary evacuation center is in place at Porterville College on 100 E. College Ave. Individuals needing assistance with evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462. Visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for more information. Large animals can be sheltered at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA.

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 the Sequoia National Forest is possible outside of Forest Closure areas.  Please refer to the link above for the closure areas to avoid. Please note that Sherman Pass road is closed to Blackrock .

Emergency Notification Alerts:  Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com.

Smoke Advisory:  For information and a map on smoke in the area, please visit AirNow.

MEDIA:  Please check in with Information (559) 214-1260 (8am-8pm) for field conditions and advisories.

 If you are a resident of Camp Nelson, Pierpoint, Coy Flat, Mountain Aire, Cedar Slope, Alpine Village, Rogers Camp, and Sequoia Crest, please read the announcement below.  An evacuation order has just been issued; please see the Tulare County Press Release for more details.

These resources are available:

A temporary evacuation center is in place at Porterville College on 100 E. College Ave. Individuals needing assistance with evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462. Visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for more information. Large animals can be sheltered at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA.

VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING TODAY AT 6PM

The public meeting will be conducted on Zoom. You do not need a Zoom account, and you will be able to ask questions. Please use this link: Join ZoomGov Meeting.

The Windy Fire is 27,183 acres with 5% containment. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in the Sequoia National Forest, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The fire has impacted the Peyrone, the South Peyrone, the Redhill and the Long Meadow Giant Sequoia Groves. The Long Meadow Grove includes the Trail of 100 Giants. Firefighters are digging hand-line around trees and spraying water to carefully protect the Giant Sequoias along the Trail. The Johnsondale, Camp Whitsitt, Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen communities remain under an evacuation order, and firefighters have successfully protected the structures in these areas. Camp Nelson remains under an evacuation warning. The Mule Peak Lookout was destroyed in the early stages of the fire under extreme burning conditions, despite being wrapped with fire-resistant material.

On the fire’s west flank, crews and bulldozers are completing indirect control lines away from the fire’s edge in preparation for burning operations to secure that area. On the north flank, crews are constructing contingency lines, utilizing the Coy Flats area and the road system to limit fire spread. The northeast and east flanks were active yesterday along the Western Divide Highway (M107), and the fire is slowly backing downslope where fuels change from timber to brush and grass. Firefighters have assessed and are protecting structures in the Ponderosa and Peppermint areas. Firefighters are constructing direct fireline along the fire’s edge on the southeast flank in the Johnsondale area, and structures in that area remain unaffected by the fire. A spotfire south of Johnsondale has been contained and crews are working to extinguish hotspots, aided by water-dropping helicopters when visibility allows. Fire activity decreased significantly overnight. Despite warmer temperatures today, winds are predicted to be light, and fire behavior is expected to be moderate, enabling firefighters to engage the fire where it is safe to do so. An inversion layer of smoke over the fire and surrounding areas will persist through Tuesday, limiting visibility and the use of water and retardant-dropping aircraft.

Road Closures

• Western Divide Highway (M107) is closed at North Road (21S50) intersection near Quaking Aspen Campground to M50 above California Hot Springs.
• M99 is closed above Kernville at Sherman Pass (22S05) intersection.
• M99 is closed north of McNally’s Fairview Lodge at 7300 Kern River Highway, north towards Sherman Pass.

Evacuations Warnings

Tulare County Sheriff has issued an evacuation warning for:

• Camp Nelson and surrounding communities

Evacuation ORDERS

• Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow 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 HWY 190/M90 at North Road (21S50), east to Route 21S05, at Needles Trail, south to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (22S82). Should you choose to evacuate now, avoid all road closures and use HWY 190 to Porterville.

A temporary evacuation center is in place at Porterville College on 100 E. College Ave. Individuals needing assistance with evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462. Visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for more information. Large animals can be sheltered at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA.

Forest Closure
 
Sequoia National Forest officials have expanded the Forest Closure area due to the fire burning across the Western Divide Highway north of Johnsondale. The west side is closed on M50 where it reaches the Forest boundary near California Hot Springs. The southern edge ties in with the northern perimeter of the French Fire closure area near White River. The northern edge ties in with the Castle Fire closure area near Ponderosa. M99, coming from Kernville is closed near Johnsondale Bridge. Sherman Pass road is closed to Blackrock. Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia for more information and a map of the closed areas.

Hunting in the Sequoia National Forest is possible outside of Forest Closure areas. Please refer to the link above for the closure areas to avoid. Please note that Sherman Pass road is closed to Blackrock .

Emergency Notification Alerts: Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com.

Smoke Advisory: For information about smoke in areas surrounding the Windy Fire go to AirNow.

WINDY FIRE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING
September 21, 2021, 6:00 p.m.

The meeting will be live-streamed on Zoom and will be recorded and posted to the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page after the event. You DO NOT need a Zoom account to attend.

Please email your questions related to the Windy Fire incident by 4:00 p.m. on September 21, 2021 to 2021.windy@firenet.gov or use the Chat feature in Zoom during the meeting to ask your questions. This will allow us to address your questions and concerns during the event.  

Please click on the Windy Fire Meeting link to join us.  

VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING Coming Soon!
Please watch for details on this update for tomorrow, Inciweb, the Sequoia National Forest Webpage, Facebook and Twitter.

The Windy Fire is 25,191 acres with 4% containment. The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in the Sequoia National Forest, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument. On Sunday afternoon, a passing cold front brought gusty northwestern winds as firefighters worked to contain the fire’s spread. Minimal fire spread last night will enable firefighters to engage the fire today as the strong winds subside.

The Western Divide Highway (M107) is being impacted by the fire, as are the communities of Peppermint, Quaking Aspen, Camp Whitsitt, and Johnsondale. Firefighters have successfully defended structures in these areas and are also assessing and protecting homes in the Ponderosa area.

The fire has reached the 2020 Castle Fire burn scar on the northern flank, moderating fire growth. Flames are slowly backing down rock escarpments two miles south of Camp Nelson. On the northeast flank, the fire remains two miles south of Ponderosa. Heavy water-dropping helicopters and fire crews are working to contain a two-acre spotfire about a mile south of Johnsondale on the fire’s southeast flank. Steep terrain and limited visibility from smoke prevented the use of fixed-wing air tankers yesterday. On the western flank, crews and bulldozers are completing indirect control lines to stop the fire’s spread in preparation for burning operations.On the eastern flank, the fire is burning in lighter fuels (grass and brush) as flames move within a mile of the Kern River.

Excellent humidity recovery last night and calmer winds predicted for today will give firefighters opportunities to engage the fire where they were previously unable to do so safely.

The Windy Fire has burned through the Peyrone and Red Hill groves, and a portion of the Long Meadow Grove along the Trail of 100 Giants. Fire crews with hoses and water-dropping helicopters are working to limit damage to the Giant Sequoias. Smaller, standing dead trees and heavy ground fuels are burning in that area.

The walking trail remains unaffected and firefighters have wrapped bridges along the trail with fire-resistant wrap. A full damage assessment will be done in these groves when it is safe to do so.

Road Closures

• Western Divide Highway (M107) is closed at North Road (21S50) intersection near Quaking Aspen Campground to M50 above California Hot Springs.

• M99 is closed above Kernville at Sherman Pass (22S05) intersection.

• M99 is closed north of McNally’s Fairview Lodge at 7300 Kern River Highway going north towards Sherman Pass.

Evacuations Warnings:

Tulare County Sheriff has issued an evacuation warning for:

• Camp Nelson and surrounding communities

Evacuation ORDERS:

• Johnsondale and Camp Whitsett, including M107 at Dome Rock, east to Lloyd Meadow Road (22S82), south to M99 at Sherman Pass Road, west to M107 and M50.

• Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen. The area of warning includes M107 at Dome Rock, north to HWY 190/M90 at North Road (21S50), east to Route 21S05, at Needles Trail, south to Lloyd Meadow at Lower Peppermint Road (22S82). Should you choose to evacuate now, avoid all road closures and use HWY 190 to Porterville.

A temporary evacuation center is in place at Porterville College on 100 E. College Ave. Individuals needing assistance with evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462. Visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ or call 2-1-1 for more information. Large animals can be sheltered at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA.

Forest Closure:

Sequoia National Forest officials have expanded the Forest Closure area due to the fire burning across the Western Divide Highway north of Johnsondale. The west side is closed on M50 where it reaches the Forest boundary near California Hot Springs. The southern edge ties in with the northern perimeter of the French Fire closure area near White River. The northern edge ties in with the Castle Fire closure area near Ponderosa. M99, coming from Kernville is closed near Johnsondale Bridge. Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia for more information and a map of the closed areas.

Emergency Notification Alerts: Tulare County residents can sign up to receive county emergency notifications by registering at AlertTC.com.

Smoke Advisory: For information on smoke in the fire area please visit AirNow.gov.