Special Statement

For information on local air quality, see attached.

Fire

Greatest fire activity is still in the northeastern part of the fire. Increased smoke production is expected in the southwestern part of the fire where fire activity increased due to the frontal passage and Mono Winds.

Smoke

The region is getting much needed relief from smoke. Gusty winds have moved persistent smoke out of the area. As these winds will continue throughout today and tomorrow, any new smoke production will be dispersed and diluted. This will prevent accumulation and build up of smoke for the next two days. Overall, expect Good to Moderate conditions across the entire forecast area. Visible smoke plumes are possible as gusty winds push the fire back onto itself, allowing consumption of any unburn fuels that remain within the fire perimeter. Persist winds will prevent strong inversions and smoke levels will remain moderated until Wednesday afternoon.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued through Tuesday at 5:00 PM for strong easterly winds and low humidity. Extreme fire activity is possible and if there is a new start or the fire escapes containment lines you can expect rapid rates of spread.

Current Situation: With less smoke on the fire yesterday helicopters were able to work on the northeast portion of the fire throughout the day.  Creeping and smoldering continued overnight on most of the fire, however it did remain active above the 7000 ft elevation, mainly in the Thomas Edison Reservoir area.  Between Pincushion Mountain and Vermillion, the fire has burned together, and it has continued to push east along the north shore of Lake Thomas A. Edison. Today crews will be scouting line locations to keep the fire from burning around the lake and moving south.  The far northern area of the fire has moved into areas of granite outcrops and the additional containment on the fire is in this area. Overnight, several roads have been blocked by trees blown over by the wind and the first task today will be to clear these blockages.  The priority work for the day will be to patrol and ensure that the fire stays within its existing footprint.  Suppression repair will continue as well. Because of steep, hazardous terrain on the north and northeastern sides of the fire, suppression tactics to stop the forward rate of spread include the use of natural barriers – in conjunction with direct attack when safe to do so.

Weather: The weather today consists of critically low humidity, strong northeast winds, and unseasonably cold temperatures.  Sustained wind speeds on ridges and peaks will be 30-40 mph through the morning but will begin to slowly drop in intensity later in the day.  High winds and low humidity will continue through Tuesday.

Summary: In the northwest, firefighters are working on strengthening fireline, mopping up, and removing hazard trees where needed.  On the western side of the fire, crews continue to patrol, mop up, backhaul any unneeded equipment, and remove hazard trees along roads.  The southern end of the fire is unstaffed from the San Joaquin River to Shaver Lake.  On the east side of the fire, in and below the horseshoe, crews are working on strengthening control lines and mopping up.  Crews are continuing to work on structure protection around the Vermillion Resort area.

Sierra National Forest Closures: For the latest information on the Forest closure order, please click on https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/

Se emitió una advertencia de bandera roja desde las 5:00 p. m. de hoy y hasta el martes a las 5:00 p. m. por vientos fuertes del este y baja humedad . Hay posibilidad de actividad extrema de incendios y si existe un nuevo comienzo en las líneas de contención de las escaleras de escape puede esperar tazas rápidas de propagación.

Situación actual: Debido al terreno empinado y peligroso en el norte y noreste del incendio, las tácticas de supresión para detener el rango de expansión del incendio incluye el uso de barreras naturales, junto con el ataque directo cuando es seguro hacerlo. El incendio continúa ardiendo en Ansel Adams Wilderness y produce grandes cantidades de humo. El incendio tuvo poco movimiento recientemente en el área de Junction Bluffs.  El Creek Fire no es una amenaza para Mammoth Lakes actualmente y el viento que se acerca alejará cualquier incendio que no se encuentre contenido de Mammoth. Algunas partes del incendio entre Pincushion Mountain y Vermillion se quemaron casi a la par.  Hubo un movimiento continuo desde el lado este a lo largo de la costa norte del lago Thomas Edison, pero también está acorralado por roquedales. El área más alejada del norte del incendio se movió hacia áreas de granito y la propagación fue muy poca o casi nula por más de una semana. Hoy las cuadrillas estarán enfocadas en improvisar y fortalecer cualquier línea que pueda estar amenazada por el viento que se avecina. Alrededor del incendio restante, se están realizando arduas tareas de reparación de la extinción, dando prioridad a aquellas áreas en lo alto del condado que pueden verse afectadas por el invierno en primera instancia.

Clima: Hoy comenzará despejado con vientos fuertes que llegan desde el noroeste, y las condiciones de humo mejorarán.  Hoy por la tarde un frente frío se moverá a través del área lo que provocará un enfriamiento significativo.  Este frente llegará acompañado de baja humedad y vientos fuertes del noreste.  La velocidad del viento en los picos y las crestas será sostenida a 30-40 mph.

Resumen: En el noroeste, los bomberos están trabajando en fortalecer la línea del fuego, neutralizar y eliminar los árboles peligrosos donde se necesite.  En el lado oeste, las cuadrillas de bomberos continúan patrullando, neutralizando y retrocediendo cualquier equipamiento innecesario y eliminando los árboles peligrosos de las rutas.  El lado sur del incendio, desde San Joaquin River hasta Shaver Lake, no tiene personal.  En el lado este del incendio, en la herradura y por debajo de esta, las cuadrillas se encuentran trabajando para reforzar y neutralizar las líneas de control.  Las cuadrillas continúan trabajando en la protección de la estructura en torno al área de Vermillion Resort.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued from 5:00 PM today through Tuesday at 5:00 PM for strong easterly winds and low humidity. Extreme fire activity is possible and if there is a new start or the fire escapes containment lines you can expect rapid rates of spread.

Current Situation: Because of steep, hazardous terrain on the north and northeastern sides of the fire, suppression tactics to stop the forward rate of spread include the use of natural barriers – in conjunction with  direct attack when safe to do so. The fire continues to burn in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and will produce large amounts of smoke. There has been little recent movement of the fire in the Junction Bluffs area.  The Creek Fire currently does not pose a threat to Mammoth Lakes and the upcoming wind event will push any uncontained fire away from Mammoth. Portions of the fire between Pincushion Mountain and Vermillion have almost burned together.  There has been continued eastward movement along the north shore of Lake Thomas Edison, but this is also hemmed in by rock outcrops. The far northern area of the fire has moved into areas of granite outcrops and there has been little or no spread for over a week. Today crews will be focused on improving and strengthening any lines potentially threated by the upcoming wind event. Around the rest of the fire, heavy suppression repair is ongoing; with a priority on those areas in the high county that may be impacted by winter weather earliest.

Weather: Today will start clear with stronger winds out of the northwest, and smoke conditions will be improved.  Late today a cold front will move through the area leading to significant cooling.  This front will be accompanied by critically low humidity and strong northeast winds.  Sustained wind speeds on ridges and peaks will be 30-40 mph.

Summary: In the northwest, firefighters are working on strengthening fireline, mopping up, and removing hazard trees where needed.  On the western side of the fire, crews continue to patrol, mop up, backhaul any unneeded equipment, and remove hazard trees along roads.  The southern end of the fire is unstaffed from the San Joaquin River to Shaver Lake.  On the east side of the fire, in and below the horseshoe, crews are working on strengthening control lines and mopping up.  Crews are continuing to work on structure protection around the Vermillion Resort area.

Current Situation: A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Monday for high winds and low humidity. The fire continues to burn in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and will produce large amounts of smoke. Because of safety concerns, fire fighters are using natural barriers - and direct attack when safe to do so - to stop fire movement in this area. There has been little recent movement of the fire in the Junction Bluffs area, closest to Mammoth.  The Creek Fire currently does not pose a threat to Mammoth Lakes or Devil’s Postpile but a hotshot crew is in place to act if the fire moves in an unexpected direction. Portions of the fire between Pincushion Mountain and Vermillion have nearly burned together.  There has also been some eastward movement along the north shore of Lake Thomas Edison. The far northern area of the fire has moved into areas of granite outcrops where it continues to creep and burn any available fuels, however, there has been little or no spread for over a week. Today and tomorrow, crews will be focused on improving and strengthening any lines potentially threated by Monday’s wind event. Around the rest of the fire, heavy suppression repair is ongoing; crews are prioritizing those areas in the high county that may be impacted by weather.

Weather: Saturday and Sunday will see seasonably normal temperatures, low humidity, and light winds.  Smoke will continue to accumulate in and near the fire as well as in nearby valleys. A cold frontal passage is expected Sunday night and will be accompanied by very low humidity and strong northeast winds.  This will blow the smoke out of the area and result in a couple of days of clear skies.

Summary: In the northwest, firefighters are working on strengthening fireline, mopping up, and removing hazard trees where needed.  On the western side of the fire, crews continue to patrol, mop up, backhaul any unneeded equipment, and remove hazard trees along roads.  The southern end of the fire is unstaffed from the San Joaquin River to Shaver Lake.  On the east side of the fire, in and below the horseshoe, crews are working on strengthening control lines and mopping up.  Crews are continuing to work on structure protection around the Vermillion Resort area and may carry out strategic firing operations as needed.

Sierra National Forest Closures: For the latest information on the Forest closure order, please click on https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/

CLEAN INDOOR AIR DURING WILDFIRES

 

While Creek Fire crews and equipment continue to make suppression progress, smoke continues to be a health concern in many communities. The information sheets that accompany this post contain some useful information on coping with the smoke.  Here are also links to two useful short videos:

HVAC system adjustments to reduce smoke in your home:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L3iubdN4_s4lnUi4bvrxFx28_lIncp8a/view?usp=sharing

Creating a clean room in your home with a box fan:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UtKdAr_8doikQisE7eAJC9Pqi03Q5XV/view?usp=sharing’

Additional information can be found at: https://www.airnow.gov/

Actualización matinal sobre el incendio de Creek
 
 

Reunión pública virtual esta noche a las 7:00 p. m. en el canal de YouTube del incendio de Creek (https://bit.ly/2HhOSh8) o la página de Facebook del Bosque Nacional Sierra.

Situación actual: El incendio continúa ardiendo en Ansel Adams Wilderness y produce grandes cantidades de humo. Esta zona es muy empinada e inaccesible, lo que dificulta el ataque seguro del incendio por tierra. Se desplaza lentamente hacia el sureste desde Pincushion Mountain y hacia el noroeste desde Vermillion, y pronto crecerán en forma conjunta. También está retrocediendo desde el lado norte de Junction Bluffs hacia la confluencia de Middle Fork del río San Joaquín y Fish Creek. Un equipo de bomberos especializados se encuentra en el lugar para actuar en caso de que se desplace hacia una dirección inesperada. Actualmente, el incendio de Creek no representa una amenaza para Mammoth Lakes o Devil’s Postpile. El área del extremo norte del incendio se ha desplazado hacia las áreas de afloramientos de granito donde continúa avanzando y quemando los combustibles disponibles; se anticipa una mínima propagación. Alrededor del incendio restante, se están realizando arduas tareas de reparación de la extinción, dando prioridad a aquellas áreas en lo alto del condado que pueden verse afectadas por el clima en primera instancia. Ayer se utilizó un vehículo aéreo no tripulado sobre el incendio y detectó varios pequeños rebosamientos superficiales que no se habían localizado previamente debido a las condiciones de humo. Todos estos han sido abordados.

Clima: Las temperaturas poco acordes con la estación y la humedad relativa baja continúan hasta el sábado, con vientos leves continuos. El humo continuará acumulándose en el área del incendio y cerca de esta, así como en los valles circundantes. Se espera una marcada reducción de temperatura el domingo por la noche, posiblemente acompañada de fuertes vientos del noreste. Si se producen estos vientos, deberían ayudar con la situación del humo.

Resumen: En el noroeste, los bomberos están trabajando en fortalecer la línea del fuego, neutralizar y eliminar los árboles peligrosos donde se necesite. En el lado oeste, las cuadrillas de bomberos continúan patrullando, neutralizando y retrocediendo cualquier equipamiento innecesario y eliminando los árboles peligrosos de las rutas. No hay personal en el extremo sur del incendio, desde Middle Fork del río San Joaquín hasta Mono Springs Resort. En el lado este del incendio, en la herradura y por debajo de esta, las cuadrillas se encuentran trabajando para reforzar y neutralizar las líneas de control. Las cuadrillas continúan trabajando en la protección de la estructura en el área en torno a Vermillion Resort y pueden llevar a cabo operaciones contra incendios según sea necesario.

Cierres del Bosque Nacional Sierra: Para obtener información más reciente sobre la orden de cierre del bosque, haga clic en https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/

Virtual Public Meeting tonight at 7:00 PM on the Creek Fire YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2HhOSh8) or the Sierra National Forest Facebook page.

Current Situation: The fire continues to burn in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and produce large amounts of smoke. This area is very steep and inaccessible, making it difficult to safely attack the fire from the ground. It is moving slowly southeast from Pincushion Mountain and northwest from Vermillion and will soon grow together. It is also backing off the northside of Junction Bluffs towards the confluence of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River and Fish Creek.  A hotshot crew is in place to act if it moves in an unexpected direction. Currently, the Creek Fire poses no threat to Mammoth Lakes or Devil’s Postpile. The far northern area of the fire has moved into areas of granite outcrops where it continues to creep and burn any available fuels, minimal forward spread is anticipated. Around the rest of the fire heavy suppression repair is ongoing, prioritizing those areas in the high county that may be impacted by weather first. A UAV was used on the fire yesterday and picked up several small slop overs that had not been located because of the smoke conditions.  These have all been addressed.

Weather: Unseasonable temperatures with low relative humidity's continue through Saturday with continued light winds. Smoke will continue to accumulate in and near the fire as well as in nearby valleys. A significant cool down is expected Sunday night, possibly accompanied by strong northeast winds.  If these winds occur they should help with the smoke situation.

Summary: In the northwest firefighters are working on strengthening fireline, mopping up, and removing hazard trees where needed.  On the western side of the fire crews continue to patrol, mop up and backhaul any unneeded equipment and remove hazard trees along roads.  The southern end of the fire, from the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River to Mono Springs Resort is unstaffed.  On the east side of the fire, in and below the horseshoe, crews are working on strengthening control lines and mopping up.  Crews are continuing to work on structure protection around the Vermillion Resort area and may carry out strategic firing operations as needed.

Sierra National Forest Closures: For the latest information on the Forest closure order, please click on https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/

CREEK FIRE SMOKE INFORMATION
 

Where is all the smoke coming from?

Fuels continue to burn within the perimeter of the fire and are unlikely to spread beyond the containment line. Fire crews will continue to monitor the line to ensure containment.

How long will smoke appear on Creek Fire?

Smoke will continue for several weeks or more. Internal fuels, such as logs and stumps will take some time to burn and completely consume.

What is causing the smoke?

Partially and unburned fuels exist within the fire perimeter and these will continue to smolder and be consumed through a slow burn. This area had a very heavy dead and down fuel load and fire burned at mixed intensities were there are areas where there is still a lot of standing, and downed half-burned fuel susceptible to reburning.

When should I report smoke and to who?

Please understand that smoke from far interior burning is generally not a concern. If you see, however, some active burning closer to the fire’s edge, around structures or some burning that is a concern, please call your local dispatch center or the fire information line.

Special Statement

The fire is most active along the northeastern edge of the perimeter and within the interior as hotspots remain active. Ongoing smoldering of heavy fuels, stumps, and roots will persist. Fire information can be found at: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/

Smoky conditions continue across the forecast region as weather conditions remain unchanged. The San Joaquin River drainages and low laying areas in and around the fire perimeter will see heaviest smoke impacts today. Mammoth Lakes and Bishop will see Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy conditions. Areas along the western foothills will see Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy levels today, including El Portal, Wawona, Ponderosa Basin, Oakhurst, North Fork, Prather, and Millteron. Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows, and Lee Vining will see Moderate conditions, with intermittent USG possible. Weather conditions shift this weekend and much needed relief from smoke is expected by early next week.