Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2

Dave Bales – Incident Commander

Acres:  49,349 acres                       

Containment: 11%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                              

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Resources:  1,949 personnel including: 53 crews, 78 engines, 44 water tenders, 35 dozers and 17 helicopters

Yesterday, fire activity was minimal in most areas along the perimeter. Firefighters continued to scout and construct direct line, strengthen and hold existing lines, monitor the perimeter and work on contingency lines. As smoke and conditions allowed, helicopters conducted buckets drops on isolated pockets of heat, slowing fire spread on the western perimeter, in the Pine Grove area, and the east side of Generals Highway. Crews constructed containment line north of Lodgepole, and structure protection groups continued to shore up protections for local communities.

Today, a drying weather trend is expected to increase fire activity. Structure protection groups will remain positioned to focus on and protect local communities including Three Rivers, Hartland and Ash Mountain, the giant sequoia groves, historic buildings and other infrastructure. Helicopters are available to conduct bucket drops to support firefighters on the ground. Crews continue to work along Mineral King Road in anticipation of increased fire activity and look for opportunities to safely construct direct line north of Mineral King Road. Firefighters continue to prep and protect the Giant Forest, Muir, Lost, and Redwood sequoia groves.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

To receive email updates on the KNP Complex, text KNP to 22828

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/

A media tour to the Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.

The tour will be limited to three privately-owned vehicles.  Each media outlet in attendance will be required to share all content (pool) from the tour with all outlets that request it.

Participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis with registration required in advance.  To register, call the media line at 559-492-9967.  Three registrants will be authorized on this tour.

The Incident Management Team does not have the ability to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for the media tour.  Each participant will be responsible for providing his/her own PPE.  Required PPE for each participant includes:

·                A Nomex shirt and pants,

·                Hardhat,

·                A pair of leather gloves, and

·                Leather boots that extend above the ankle.

Each tour is expected to last approximately four hours.  Participants will be required to remain with the group and escorts for the entire duration of the tour. 

This is a coordinated operation with qualified ground personnel. Please remember, if recreational drones are flying in the fire area, air resources will be grounded to keep them safe. 
If you Fly, We Can’t.
 
 

Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2

Dave Bales – Incident Commander
Acres:  48,872 acres (based on infrared flight)                 
Containment: 11%
Start Date: September 10, 2021                                         
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources:   1,802 personnel including: 42 crews, 78 engines, 45 water tenders, 34 dozers and 12 helicopters

Smoky conditions on portions of the fire limited visibility on Tuesday. Personnel will use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) today to assist firefighters with fire movement. This is a coordinated operation with qualified ground personnel. Please remember, if recreational drones are flying in the fire area, air resources will be grounded to keep them safe.  If you Fly, We Can’t.

Yesterday, firefighters continued with direct line construction along the northern perimeter in addition to constructing contingency lines in the Hartland area. Today on the eastern flank resources continue to extinguish hot spots in the Giant Forest and along established containment lines. Crews continue to improve Mineral King Rd. on the southern perimeter. The road is being used as a holding feature, and crews are monitoring the fire as it backs down slope towards the road. On the western flank firefighters will continue to provide structure protection in the Ash Mountain, and Three Rivers communities, in addition to securing containment lines. Firefighters on the northern perimeter work to extend containment lines as they progress to the east with direct line construction. As air quality permits aviation resources will support firefighting efforts in coordination with personnel on the fire line.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/

SOUTHWEST AREA TYPE 1 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 2

Dave Bales – Incident Commander

Acres:  48,344 acres (based on infrared flight)                  

Containment: 8%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                           

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Resources:   1,822 personnel including: 49 crews, 72 engines, 39 water tenders, 32 dozers and 11 helicopters

Firefighting resources continue to work to increase containment on the KNP Complex. Challenges include drought stressed vegetation, and heavy brush loads on steep slopes. Changes in weather today may allow smoke to lift and allow fire columns to develop. Aircraft is available to support ground resources as weather conditions permit.

Yesterday, resources continued to improve the Mineral King Road on the southern edge and monitored the fire as it backed down toward the road. Today, firefighters along the western flanks will remain engaged with structure protection of Hartland and the surrounding areas and work the fires edge to construct and improve containment lines. Along the southern perimeter crews will continue to improve the Mineral King Road in addition to having resources in Three Rivers, Silver City and Mineral King communities. Crews on the northern flank will continue to build direct line to the east. On the eastern perimeter crews continue to mop up hot spots within the Giant Forest and improve containment lines. They are also looking for opportunities to build fire line north from Lodgepole. Weather should allow aircraft to work in coordination with ground resources to support firefighting efforts.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/

SOUTHWEST AREA TYPE 1 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 2 September 27, 2021
Dave Bales – Incident Commander

Acres:  46,976 acres (based on infrared flight)                  

Containment: 8%

Start Date: September 10, 2021                                           

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park

Resources:   1,804 personnel including: 49 crews, 72 engines, 39 water tenders, 32 dozers and 11 helicopters

As of 6:00 PM Sunday night Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the KNP Complex. The incident management team will be working closely with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Cal-Fire, Sequoia National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, California National Guard, and multiple other cooperating agencies. Fire managers will continue to use full suppression strategies in an effort to protect the surrounding communities impacted, natural resources, and critical infrastructure. Firefighters are using a combination of direct and indirect suppression tactics by constructing containment lines with heavy equipment, hand crews, engines, aircraft, and miscellaneous personnel. Resources look to also utilize natural barriers and seek areas of opportunity to conduct back fire operations to establish containment lines when conditions are favorable. 

Along the northern perimeter firefighters helped to protect the Muir Grove by utilizing firing ignitions to move fire through the grove to minimize impacts from the fire. Crews also focused efforts on building hand line, putting in hose lays and constructing contingency lines. Firefighters on the north east side scouted for opportunities to construct containment lines looking to progress east and connect to existing containment lines. Resources on the east flank of the fire will be securing established containment lines near and within the Giant Forest as they were successful with the help from fuels treatment projects and prescribed (RX) fire that has been done in and around the national park. On the southern flank resources along Mineral King road will monitor the fire and continue to provide structure protection to the communities Silver City and Mineral King as the fire moves down slope towards holding features. Firefighters on the western perimeter remain engaged with structure protection in the Three Rivers community, Ash Mountain, and critical infrastructure. Air operations will continue to support ground operations as smoke conditions allow across the entire fire area.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:

PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM
Mark Morales – Incident Commander

KNP Complex Update - September 26, 2021

Acres:  44,828 acres (based on infrared flight)        Containment: 8%
Start Date: September 10, 2021                Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park  

Resources:   1,780 personnel including: 49 crews, 72 engines, 39 water tenders, 32 dozers and 22 helicopters

The KNP Complex in the Sequoia National Park was originally two fires from lightning occurring on September 9th, discovered and reported on the 10th  and designated a complex on September 11th. Incident priorities are the protection of life and property in surrounding communities; protection of the Giant Sequoia Groves; and protection of infrastructure within the Sequoia National Park. There was 2780 acres of growth on the fire in the last 24 hours. The majority of that growth was in the Paradise Ridge area where a burning operation took place. The 8% containment includes an area adjacent to Paradise Ridge, the Giant Sequoia Forest and Lodgepole.

Resources continue to be allocated in alignment with incident priorities. CalFire dozers and hand crews have completed line construction on the west side of the fire above Three Rivers and North Fork Road and fire retardant was applied to the edge of the fuel break to increase protection. A firing operation occurred along Mineral King Road south of Paradise Ridge to secure that area. California Army National Guard troops continue working in the northern portion of the fire to protect Park infrastructure. Preparations are being made to apply fire retardant gel to the sequoia trees in the Muir Grove using helicopters if the weather permits. A structure protection group is working in the Hartland area and crews are preparing to defend structures should the fire reach that area.

Today’s weather forecast: High pressure continues to dominate the region today. Winds remain light and terrain driven. Areas where smoke clears will see more active fire behavior in the afternoon. Overnight humidity recovery last night was near zero. Poor humidity recovery and warmer temperatures will lead to drier conditions through the afternoon. A low pressure system is expected Tuesday which will bring an increase in winds and some clearing of smoke.

Air operations will continue to support ground operations as smoke conditions allow across the entire fire area.
There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.
Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a NO DRONE ZONE.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:
PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/  
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram:  @SequoiaKingsNPS

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM
Mark Morales – Incident Commander

KNP Complex Update - September 25, 2021

Acres:  42,048 acres (based on infrared flight)        Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 11, 2021                Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park  

Resources:   1,729 personnel including:  50 crews,  69 engines,  39 water tenders and 21 helicopters

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9 and reported two days later, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. Incident priorities are the protection of life and property in surrounding communities; protection of the Giant Sequoia Groves; and protection of infrastructure within the Sequoia National Park. There was 9,002 acres of growth on the fire in the last 24 hours. The majority of that growth was in the Ash Mountain and Mineral King Road areas where a burning operation took place to protect the Park buildings and infrastructure and private residences.

Resources continue to be allocated in alignment with incident priorities. Resources were redistributed throughout the incident to facilitate improvements in fuel breaks near Big Baldy Trail, Twin Lakes Trail, Cabin Creek, and a possible burning operation in the area north and west of Ash Mt. CalFire dozers and hand crews continue work on the west side of the fire to clean up the contingency lines there.

Today’s weather forecast: Weather continues to hold consistent.  High pressure continues to dominate the region today. Winds remain light and terrain driven. Areas where smoke clears will see more active fire behavior in the afternoon. Overnight humidity recovery last night was near zero. Poor humidity recovery and warmer temperatures will lead to drier conditions through the afternoon.

Air operations will continue to support ground operations as smoke conditions allow across the entire fire area.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.
Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:  
PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/  
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram:  @SequoiaKingsNPS

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM
Mark Morales – Incident Commander

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM
Mark Morales – Incident Commander
KNP Complex Update - September 24, 2021

Acres:  36,850 acres (based on infrared flight)                                  Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 11, 2021                                                     Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources:   1,620 personnel including:  49 crews,  58 engines,  35 water tenders and 21 helicopters

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9 and reported two days later, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. Incident priorities are the protection of life and property in surrounding communities; protection of the Giant Sequoia Groves; and protection of infrastructure within the Sequoia National Park. There was 8,522 acres of growth on the fire in the last 24 hours. The majority of that growth was in the Ash Mountain area where a burning operation took place to protect the Park buildings and infrastructure.

Resources continue to be allocated in alignment with incident priorities. Seventeen dozers are operating in the Hartland/Wilsonia area to open old roads for better fire access and improve control operations. Previous fuel treatments helped protect the big grove in Kings Canyon area, and burnout operations have been used in the Crystal Cave area to reduce fuels between the fire and the Hidden Fire burn scar. Crews are preparing for burnout operations to reduce fuels in the Park Headquarters area near Ash Mt and Paradise Ridge, and north of the Mineral King Road tentatively scheduled to occur in the next few days as conditions permit.

Today’s weather forecast: High pressure continues to dominate the region today. Winds remain light and terrain driven. Areas where smoke clears will see more active fire behavior in the afternoon. Poor humidity recovery and warmer temperatures will lead to drier conditions through the afternoon.

Air operations will continue to support ground operations as smoke conditions allow across the entire fire area.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.  Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:  PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/ 
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram:  @SequoiaKingsNPS