Size: 75 acres                                                                           
Containment: 0%Incident Start Date: June 19, 2021                                        
Cause: Lightning
Location: 13 miles from Forest Lakes community

Current Situation: This will be the final update for the Inyo Creek Fire. Containment is currently at 96%. Evacuation orders and closure of the Whitney Portal Road were lifted Wednesday evening as both the fire situation and the forecast weather held and allowed for safe access.

“I am feeling very comfortable with the conditions of the fire” said Incident Commander Tomas Gonzalez of the Inyo National Forest. The fire area received light rain mid-day Wednesday but during warmer, drier conditions smoldering fuels such as stump holes will continue to burn and may be visible from the Whitney Portal Road.”

Closure Updates: The National Recreation Trail (NRT) which begins at Lone Pine Campground and ends at Whitney Portal is closed under Forest Order 05-04-54-21-17 through November 30, 2021.

The Meysan Lake Trail and Whitney Portal have both been reopened. The Lone Pine Campground is expected to reopen after 8 a.m. on July 3.

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

Fireworks are never permitted to be ignited on Forest Service, BLM and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) land. Due to hot and dry conditions, the danger for wildfire is extreme. Campfires are not allowed outside developed Inyo County campgrounds; always ensure your fire is fully extinguished after use

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), and to provide for public safety, the following act is prohibited within the Mt. Whitney Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest. This Order is effective from July 2, 2021, until November 30, 2021.

Being on National Forest System Trail No. 3501 (Whitney Portal NRT) beginning at Lone Pine Campground (Sec 29, T 15S, R 35E MDM) and continuing to its terminus at Whitney Portal (Sec 36, T 15S, R 34E MDM), as shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a). 

 Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with a 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.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions contained in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A. A violation of this prohibition 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 6 months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Bishop, California, this 1st day of July 2021.

LESLEY YEN Forest Supervisor
Inyo National Forest

This Order supersedes Forest Order No. 05-04-51-21-16, dated June 25, 2021

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021

Cause: Lightning

Size: 592 acres

Containment: 80%

Incident Type: Full Suppression

Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber

Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Resources Assigned: Engines: 10 Helicopters: 4 Crews: 9 Water tenders: 5   Total Personnel: 330

Current Situation: Containment on the Inyo Creek Fire is now at 80 %. As fire suppression activities scale back, the area closures remain in effect due to forecasted thunderstorms moving through the area for the next several days and the continuation of the red flag warning that remains in effect through 8 p.m. this evening.

California Incident Management Team 13 Incident Commander Mike Wakoski would like to thank the community for its support of the firefighters and suppression efforts throughout the duration of this incident. The Inyo Creek Fire is transitioning back to a Type 3 Incident with Tomas Gonzales of Inyo National Forest moving into the Incident Commander role providing direction over remaining personnel assigned to the fire.

Evacuations for all residents of Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road, all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground are still in effect. The weather and conditions are being assessed daily to determine when these closed areas can safely re-open to the public.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Olivas Ranch Road. The forest continues to coordinate with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at the closure. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt. Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead or Onion Valley. Forest Order No. 05-54-54-21-16 closing the Meysan Lake Trail and National Recreation Trail (NRT) from their respective trailheads to terminus points is now in effect.

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. No fireworks are ever allowed on the forest. Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

For updates and maps, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

Media Contact: Marc Peebles
marc_peebles@firenet.gov
Phone: (909) 855-4233

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021

Cause: Lightning

Size: 592 acres

Containment: 70%

Incident Type: Full Suppression

Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber

Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Resources Assigned: Engines: 13 Helicopters: 4 Crews: 12 Water tenders: 5   Total Personnel: 442

Current Situation: Containment on the Inyo Creek Fire is now at 70 %. The highest point within the fire perimeter is 9,071 feet, with the lowest point at 5,997 feet. The total fire perimeter is 8.68 miles, extending 1.7 miles north to south and 1.4 miles east to west. At 2 p.m. today a red flag warning will go into effect through Tuesday as hot, dry air, and the potential for dry lighting along the crest of the Sierra increases. Any nearby thunderstorms may produce gusty and erratic winds impacting the fire area.

Fire suppression activities are winding down and crews are being released to go to other incidents or back to their home units. Repair and rehabilitation efforts are continuing in the Whitney Portal. Structures that have been wrapped as part of the structure defense work are now being unwrapped, a process that can take two hours or more per structure.

Evacuations for all residents of Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road, all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground are still in effect. Firefighters are continuing to work hard to get the status of the fire to a state where many of the closures can be re-opened to the public.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Olivas Ranch Road. The forest continues to coordinate with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at the closure. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt. Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead or Onion Valley. Forest Order No. 05-54-54-21-16 closing the Meysan Lake Trail and National Recreation Trail (NRT) from their respective trailheads to terminus points is now in effect.

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. No fireworks are ever allowed on the forest. Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

For updates and maps, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

Media Contact: Marc Peebles                                                                            marc_peebles@firenet.gov

Phone: (909) 855-4233

LONE PINE, CA, June 30, 2021- In consultation with the National Weather Service and Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, evacuation orders and road closures that were in place due to the Inyo Creek Fire will be lifted today June 30 at 6 pm.

Lone Pine Campground will remain closed through Saturday July 3 due to forecast storms in the area and the potential for flash flood.

Lifting of closures and evacuations are subject to cancelation should weather change.

For updated fire information, please visit InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.org/incident/7564/.

As a reminder, please drive safely as you enter the area, as firefighters and fire equipment may be travelling or working on the roadway.

Inyo National Forest

Contact: Marc Peebles           

(909) 855-4233

marc_peebles@firenet.gov

Thunderstorms to keep Lone Pine Campground and
Whitney Portal Road Closed

 Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021 Cause: Lightning Size: 647 acres Containment: 50% Incident Type: Full Suppression Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
Resources Assigned: Engines: 12 Helicopters: 4 Fixed-wing: 2 Crews: 12 Water tenders: 5      Total Personnel: 442

 Inyo Creek Fire Update
June 26, 2021
Media Contact: Marc Peebles
marc_peebles@firenet.gov
Phone: (909) 855-4233
Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021 Cause: Lightning Size: 592 acres Containment: 35% Incident Type: Full Suppression Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest ServiceResources Assigned: Engines: 13 Helicopters: 7 Fixed-wing: 2 Crews: 13 Water tenders: 6    Dozers: 1 Total Personnel: 436
 Current Situation: The Inyo Creek Fire is now 35% contained and the fire will continue to burn in Lone Pine Creek and adjacent ridgelines today. Mostly sunny skies, breezy, easterly up-canyon winds accompany the extremely low fuel moisture and persistent dry conditions. Structure defense in the Whitney Portal remains a priority especially with the forecasted dry air mass moving into the area.

Last night’s fire behavior included a moderate rate of spread, and this weekend’s increasing temperatures will contribute to challenges for the crews. Firefighters continue to build and maintain fire line, extinguish hot spots and mop up where appropriate.
 Evacuations for Whitney Portal Reserve, all residents of Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road, as well as all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground are still in effect. Beginning at 8 a.m. today residents in the two ranches west of Olivas Ranch Road are permitted to repopulate.
 Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Horseshoe Meadow Road. The forest continues to coordinate with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at the closure. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt. Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead or Onion Valley. Forest Order No. 05-54-54-21-16 closing the Meysan Lake Trail and National Recreation Trail (NRT) from their respective trailheads to terminus points is now in effect
Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. No fireworks are ever allowed on the forest. Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

“Camp Like a Pro” with the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP)

Thousands of people will soon be headed toward the Eastern Sierra Mountains in anticipation of their long-awaited Fourth of July weekend.  Many will enjoy the beautiful scenery, hiking or rock climbing, and others fishing or just enjoying the time away from the sounds of large cities.

Inyo National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Field Office, and the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP)  remind you that while you are enjoying the spectacular scenery and outdoor activities that the eastern sierras have to offer, you have another equally important task, learning to recreate responsibly. 

To assist you in both learning these skills and teaching them to the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP)   has developed a handout of common-sense outdoor tips and tricks to help you Camp Like a Pro.  Print the “Camp Like a Pro” flyer to take with you, and to give to those traveling with you.  Visit  https://www.essrp.org/camping to learn these skills.  They also have interactive maps, and links to many other resources which will help you plan and enjoy your time.

One of the most critical skills of Camping Like a Pro is your campfire.  Not how to make it, but whether you should, or are even allowed to have one.  The Inyo National Forest and Bureau of Land Management may restrict where you may have one, and sometimes may not allow fires at all.  Always check with your local ranger station or forest website for current restrictions, and make sure you have your Free California Campfire Permit.  Even when fires are allowed, high winds and dry conditions may mean that you shouldn’t have fires.  When in doubt, keep it out!

Interested in learning more?  Many organizations, both local and national, advocate for the care of our natural lands.  A quick search online may reveal websites of groups where you can get involved and make a difference in your community.  Some organizations, such as Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org) have programs to train the trainer.  Becoming involved is the best way to challenge yourself and make a difference.

The goal of firefighters, ranchers, land managers, actually … every human alive…  should be to allow future generations to have the same sense of awe and wonder from the outdoor world as we do today!