French Fire Update – August 25, 2021

Acreage: 20,678                                   Containment: 19%                                                  Total Personnel: 1067

There will be a virtual public meeting tonight, Wednesday, August 25, at 6 p.m., streamed on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page and shared through Kern County Fire Department’s Facebook page. If you are cannot join, the meeting will be posted to the Sequoia National Forest, Kern County Fire Department ,   and the Bureau of Land Management (California) Facebook sites.

The French Fire, started on Wednesday, August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, has now burned 20,678 acres with 19 percent containment. The fire is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 12, coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest, and Kern County Fire Department in Unified Command.

On Tuesday, August 24, fire activity on the north side increased in the afternoon and continued through the evening. Wind and terrain aligned, allowing the fire to make several uphill runs in the Alta Sierra, Shirley Creek, Ice House Creek, and Cane Creek areas. The fire pushed east towards Pala Ranches and Wofford Heights. Fire crews shifted to rapid rescue in Alta Sierra and Wofford Heights since several residents were still present. Fire engine personnel and helicopters focused on structure protection.

There is a team in place to assess structure and property damage. This process will take time, as there is still active fire that presents a danger to the personnel working on the assessment. Once the information is collected, the appropriate authorities will validate it, and notifications will be made to property owners.

Today will bring slightly windier conditions to the area starting with the southwest winds and moving to a northwest wind with gusts above 25 mph. Humidity is at 10 percent or lower throughout the day. The Alta Sierra and Shirley Meadows areas have not experienced fire for several years, which adds to the drought-stressed, bug-killed fuels and weather conditions assisting with the fire spread.

French Fire - UPDATE #10 - Imminent Threat Unchanged -plus- Update to New Evacuation Warning. Details below.

Este es un mensaje de emergencia. Para espanol, llame a 2-1-1. Gracias

UPDATE: As of 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 24, 2021

This is an update to previous ReadyKern messages concerning the French Fire in the Kern River Valley. The fire still poses an imminent threat to Wofford Heights, Calgary Drive, and Pala Ranches. In addition, there is an update to the new Evacuation Warning area. The following information is complete at the time of this message.

The areas of Wofford Heights, Calgary Drive, and Pala Ranches are still under an imminent threat from the French Fire. RESIDENTS WHO REMAINED IN THE AREA AFTER THE EVACUATION ORDER WAS ISSUED SHOULD LEAVE NOW. THIS IS YOUR FINAL NOTIFICATION.

In addition, the new Evacuation Warning area was updated to add the community of Riverkern, both east and west of the Kern River. The previously described area of along Burlando Road north of the current evacuation zone, including the Big Blue Mine area, west of the Kern River, to the Kern-Tulare County line, is unchanged.

An Evacuation Warning means that the French Fire is a potential threat to life and/or property, and all residents are advised to be prepared to leave the area at a moment’s notice if it becomes necessary. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock, should leave now.

All previous Evacuation Orders and Warnings are unchanged.

You can search your address in the French Fire Interactive Evacuation Map posted at kerncountyfire.org

If you have an emergency, call 911.

If you have any questions about the content of this message, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 2-1-1.

Please Note: The evacuation center is located at Woodrow Wallace Elementary School, 3240 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella. Animal Services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center or by calling 661-868-7100.

If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1- 855-264-6565.

Additional information can be viewed here https://inciweb.nwcg,gov/incident/7813

Fire Closures:

The BLM has temporarily closed the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area to all public access due to wildland fire danger.

Forest Fire Area Closure:

Forest Order 0513 21 25 French Fire area Roads and Trails Closure and Map

To protect visitors, mountain communities, staff and firefighters, Forest Order 0513-21-25 was issued, Saturday, August 21, 2021. Please view the full order with exhibits and map for more information.

Fire Restrictions:

Public lands managed by the Sequoia National Forest and the BLM Bakersfield Field Office are under Fire Restrictions at this time. The use of propane stoves with an on/off switch is permitted, but campfires are not allowed.

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There will be a virtual Meeting tonight August 25, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. presented on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page and shared through Kern County Fire Department Facebook page. If you are unable to join, the meeting will be posted to the Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Departments’ Facebook sites.

French Fire Update – August 24, 2021

Acreage: 16,002                           Containment: 19%                                          Total Personnel: 1025

Please join us for another Virtual Meeting on August 25, 2021, presented on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook page and shared through Kern County Fire Department Facebook page. Thank you to the more than 12,000 visitors who watched and shared the Monday evening virtual community meeting featured through Facebook live. If you were unable to join, the meeting has been posted to  the Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Departments’ Facebook sites. Another virtual meeting is being planned for later this week. See the Sequoia National Forest’s Facebook page for future virtual meeting invites.  

The French Fire, started on Wednesday, August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, has now burned 16,002 acres with 19 percent containment. The fire is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 12, coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest, and Kern County Fire Department in Unified Command.

On Monday, August 23, fire activity in the Shirley Peak area and Alta Sierra areas increased and crews successfully did a firing operation to help join up Rancheria Road (Forest Road No. 25S15) as a containment line. That was done to protect Alta Sierra and to keep the fire west of Rancheria Road.   Night flying aircraft were utilized to assist with the firing operations and additional night operations around the fire.

Fire crews constructed handline near Wagy Flat Road (Forest Road No. 25S02) to hold the fire and connect to a previous control line. Crews were also successful in building handline from the Sawmill Road (Forest Road No. 26S03) break to the division break one-mile south of Wagy Flat. On Tuesday, fire crews will continue to mop up in those areas and focus on protecting the structures off the Sawmill Road.

The local area will experience repeat weather conditions on Tuesday that are warm and dry, with relative humidity in the teens. The morning hours will have a light southeast wind that will become breezier and come out of the west around 3 p.m., with gusts of 20 mph. The Alta Sierra and Shirley Meadows areas have not experienced fire for several years, which adds to the drought-stressed, bug-killed fuels and weather conditions that are assisting with the fire spread.

The following Evacuation Orders remain in Effect: 

French Fire Update #7 - Evacuation Orders

The following areas are currently under an Evacuation Order:

Este es un mensaje de emergencia. Para espanol, llame a 211.

Wofford Heights is on an Evacuation Order, starting at Black Canyon Trail where it turns into Calgary Drive east to Burlando Road where it turns into Wofford Boulevard from the Sequoia Forest Boundary south to Old State Road.

Starting south of the Tulare County border on the west side, extending south to Rancheria Road and follows east to where it turns into Black Gulch. Following Black Gulch where it goes south to 178. Sequoia Forest boundary to Black Mountain is now a part of the evacuation order. East to Black Canyon Trail where it turns into Calgary Drive, north to the Sequoia Forest Boundary. The Evacuation Order extends to Lake Isabella Reservoir and follows Highway 155 to Keysville South. This order includes the following communities: Pala Ranches, Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick 

Rock, Dutch Flat, Isabella Highlands, Wagy Flat, Black Gulch, and Keysville North and South.

An Evacuation Order means that the French Fire is an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to leave now and seek shelter away from the fire area. The area is lawfully closed to public access. An Evacuation Order will likely be the last order given.

Please Note: There are two evacuation centers: One located at Woodrow Wallace Elementary School, 3240 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella, the second located at Kern Valley High School, 3340 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella. Animal Services can assist with companion animals at the center or by calling 661-868-7100.

If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1- 855-264-6565.

You can search by your address in the French Fire Interactive Evacuation Map posted at kerncountyfire.org

If you have an emergency, call 911.

If you have any questions, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 211.

Additional information can be viewed here https://inciweb.nwcg,gov/incident/7813

Fire Closures:

The BLM has temporarily closed the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area to all public access due to wildland fire danger.

Forest Fire Area Closure:

Forest Order 0513 21 25 French Fire area Roads and Trails Closure and Map

To protect visitors, mountain communities, staff and firefighters, Forest Order 0513-21-25 was issued, Saturday, August 21, 2021. Please view the full order with exhibits and map for more information.

Fire Restrictions:

Public lands managed by the Sequoia National Forest and the BLM Bakersfield Field Office are under Fire Restrictions at this time. The use of propane stoves with an on/off switch is permitted, but campfires are not allowed.

 Acreage: 14,773 Containment: 15% Total Personnel: 906
 Please join us during the French Fire Facebook Live Event tonight for updates and information starting at 6 p.m., via the Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Departments’ Facebook sites. Please visit inciweb for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7813/.
The French Fire, started on August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, has now burned 14,773 acres with 15 percent containment. The fire is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 12, coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Department in Unified Command.
 On Sunday, Aug. 22, fire crews constructed a handline near Wagy Flat Road (Forest Road No. 25S02) to hold the fire and connect into a previous controlled line. Crews were also successful continuing handline from the Sawmill Road break to the division break that is one mile south of Wagy Flat. Today, crews will continue to mop up in those areas and pay close attention to the structures off the Sawmill Road.Further west, towards Rancheria Road (Forest Road No. 25S15), there was some fire growth and fire crews successfully used dozers and hand crews to catch the smaller spot fire slopped over onto Borderline Road. On Monday, crews will work towards Rancheria Road constructing direct line with a strong probability they can get up to Rancheria Road within the upcoming days.
 Communities near Shirley Peak experienced increased fire activity that produced lots of smoke from flanking, backing fire and isolated runs. Shirley Meadows also experienced increased fire activity and crews successfully kept the fire south of Old State Road. On Monday, crews and engines will continue working on control lines on Old State Road with the objective of linking in with the spot fire in Alta Sierra.
 On Sunday evening, fire activity in the Shirley Peak area and Alta Sierra had increased and crews were successful in doing a late-night firing operation. That was done to protect Alta Sierra and to keep the fire west of Rancheria Road. Night flying aircraft was utilized to assist with the firing operations and additional night operations around the fire.
Weather: Today, weather conditions will be warmer and drier than yesterday, and relative humidity is expected to drop in the teens. The morning will show light southeast wind that will become more breezy and more westerly around 3 p.m.The following Evacuation Orders are in Effect:
UPDATE: as of 7:30 pm Sunday, August 22, 2021French Fire Update #7 - Evacuation OrdersThe following areas are currently under an Evacuation Order: Este es un mensaje de emergencia. Para espanol, llame a 211. Wofford Heights is on an Evacuation Order, starting at Black Canyon Trail where it turns into Calgary Drive east to Burlando Road where it turns into Wofford Boulevard from the Sequoia Forest Boundary south to Old State Road. Starting south of the Tulare County border on the west side, extending south to Rancheria Road and follows east to where it turns into Black Gulch. Following Black Gulch where it goes south to 178. Sequoia Forest boundary to Black Mountain is now a part of the evacuation order. East to Black Canyon Trail where it turns into Calgary Drive, north to the Sequoia Forest Boundary. The Evacuation Order extends to Lake Isabella Reservoir and follows Highway 155 to Keysville South. This order includes the following communities: Pala Ranches, Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock, Dutch Flat, Isabella Highlands, Wagy Flat, Black Gulch, and Keysville North and South. An Evacuation Order means that the French Fire is an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to leave now and seek shelter away from the fire area. The area is lawfully closed to public access. An Evacuation Order will likely be the last order given.

Please Note: The evacuation center is located at Woodrow Wallace Elementary School, 3240 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella. Animal Services will assist with shelter companion animals at the center. If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1-855-264-6565. You can search by your address in the French Fire Interactive Evacuation Map posted at kerncountyfire.org
 If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 211.Additional information can be viewed here https://inciweb.nwcg,gov/incident/7813
Fire Closures:The BLM has temporarily closed the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area to all public access due to wildland fire danger.
Forest Fire Area Closure:Forest Order 0513 21 25 French Fire area Roads and Trails Closure and MapTo protect visitors, mountain communities, staff and firefighters, Forest Order 0513-21-25 was issued, Saturday, August 21, 2021. Please view the full order with exhibits and map for more information.
Fire Restrictions:Public lands managed by the Sequoia National Forest and the BLM Bakersfield Field Office are under Fire Restrictions at this time. The use of propane stoves with an on/off switch is permitted, but campfires are not allowed.

 French Fire Update – August 22, 2021

FOREST ORDER NO. 0513-21-25SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST KERN RIVER AND WESTERN DIVIDE RANGER DISTRICTSFRENCH FIRE AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS CLOSUREPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Kern River and Western Divide Ranger Districts of the Sequoia National Forest. This Order is effective from August 22, 2021, through November 30, 2021.
 
 1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the French Fire Closure Area. The French Fire Closure Area is described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 CFR § 261.53(e).
 2. Being on any National Forest System road within the French Fire Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit B. 36 CFR § 261.54(e).
 3. Being on any National Forest System trail within the French Fire Closure Area as shown Exhibit B. 36 CFR § 261.55(a).
 4. Entering or using a developed recreation site listed below:
 a. Alder Creekb. Evans Flatc. Hungry Gulchd. Boulder Gulche. Pioneer Pointf. Cedar Creekg. Panoramah. Frog Meadow
 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b).Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
 1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
 2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
 3. Owners or lessees of land in the area, to the extent necessary to access their land.
 These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part § 261, Subpart A.A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C.§ 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.Executed in Porterville, California, this 21st day of August, 2021.

 

French Fire Update – August 21, 2021
  Acreage: 11,295                                Containment: 5%                             Total Personnel: 883

Today, crews are working early to get fire retardant around Shirley Creek, allowing crews to go direct when conditions allow. Crews have been successful in building direct line and holding the fire from the Willow Flat area along the northeast and southeast perimeter. Crews will continue to scout and construct direct line. Crews will continue working on structure protection in Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock, and Dutch Flat communities.

A virtual Zoom meeting regarding current status and information on the French Fire occurred:

August 20, 2021 @ 6:30 p.m.

 This meeting was recorded and will be posted on to the Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Facebook pages.

Please send any questions regarding issues not addressed in the meeting to: 2021.CACND.French@firenet.gov

French Fire Update – August 20, 2021

Acreage:  4,272                                  Containment:  5%                            Total Personnel: 809

California Incident Management Team 12 (CAIIMT12) is now in command of the French Fire, located west of Lake Isabella in Kern County. The Team will coordinate with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Kern County Fire Department, CalFire, and the Sequoia National Forest, which are currently in Unified Command.

There will be a virtual meeting updating the public on the latest information about the French Fire on August 20, 2021, at 6:30 pm, via Zoom. Registration is required to participate. Please visit: https://blm.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsf-GhrDojEpgOv64CVGl9EC1TVjljDcY

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link and phone number to join the meeting. This meeting will be recorded and later posted to the Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Facebook.

The French Fire in Kern County started Wednesday, August 18, around 4:30 pm near the Wagy Flat area, southwest of Wofford Heights on the west side of Lake Isabella. Yesterday, the winds pushed the fire east towards Lake Isabella and changed direction, pushing the fire north/northwest towards Sawmill Road. Later in the evening, the fire pushed back to the east again and crews were able to get line in on Sawmill Road.

Today, crews will continue to build on the progress from yesterday and go direct on fire when safe. There are two structure protection units in the Highland and Dutch Flat areas that will continue to create containment lines. Due to a collapsed culvert on Sawmill Road, a new division has been added to the fire to help with firefighter safety.

Evacuation Order:

Wagy Flat Road east to Lake Isabella, between Old State Road south to Keyesville.

Keyesville south, from the intersection of Black Gulch Road and Forest Route 26S06, continuing east to Highway 155.

An Evacuation Order means that the French Fire is an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to leave now and seek shelter away from the fire area. The area is lawfully closed to public access. An Evacuation Order will likely be the last order given.

Evacuation Warning:
Rancheria Road east to Wofford Boulevard, between State Route 155 south to Old State Road.

The Black Gulch area, north of Highway 178

An Evacuation Warning means that the French Fire is a potential threat to life and/or property, and all residents are advised to be prepared to leave the area at a moment’s notice if it becomes necessary. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock, should leave now.

Visit Kern County Fire Department site for evacuation zone map: https://tinyurl.com/54a6na4e

An evacuation center has been set up at the Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella. Animal Services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center. You should also monitor your local media for updated information about the evacuation. If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1-855-264-6565.

If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 2-1-1. Thank you.

Follow QR Code or link below for contacts and additional information

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/Links

Fire Information #:

760-515-7922 (7am to 8pm)

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Fire Information:

Sequoia National Forest Twitter