Sierra National Forest Closure Order
Forest Order No. 05-15-00-20-16 

 
Pursuant 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 Sierra National Forest. This Order is effective from
October 17, 2020 through November 1, 2020.

1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Sierra National Forest
    Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit A and described in Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

2. Being on a National Forest System road within the Sierra National Forest, except those
    listed in Exhibit C outside of the Sierra National Forest Closure Area.
    36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3. Being on a National Forest System trail within the Sierra National Forest, except those
    listed in Exhibit D outside of the Sierra National Forest Closure Area.
    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. 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 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.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions contained 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 Clovis, California on October 16, 2020.

The fire is currently 344,042 acres, 60% contained, with approximately 983 personnel assisting with fire suppression and logistical operations.  Resources include 43 engines, 38 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 21 hand crews and 11 bulldozers.

Fire activity has increased south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. The fire has also been active on the northeastern fires edge. Operations and crews will evaluate and plan for suppression opportunities. Firing operations continue to remain a part of the suppression effort as safety and weather permits. Resources continue to patrol and mop-up from Florence Lake to the North/South Zone break, located near Redinger Lake. Crews proceed to remove hazard trees along road systems throughout the burn area.

Suppression lines are continually being repaired. This total reflects 251 miles of Dozer line, of which 46 miles has been repaired and 94 miles of Hand Line Construction, 2 miles has been repaired. Suppression repair work is occurring on approximately 350 miles of line and assessments of impacts are nearly complete.

High pressure continues over the region with elevated to critical fire weather conditions due to hot and dry conditions with poor humidity recovery. Diurnal slope winds will continue to prevail for the next several days.

 
For daily smoke information go to the California Smoke Information website:  https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ 
 
To get information about air quality and smoke in your area, go to the fire and smoke map at
https://www.airnow.gov/

View the full update (.pdf file)

The next virtual community meeting will be Friday, October 16, 2020.

The Creek Fire Incident Management Team and local officials will provide the most current information on fire operations, evacuations and advisories, via Facebook live. Ask questions and express your concerns.

Información en español después.
 

Go to the Facebook Live link to get a reminder before the meeting and to attend:  https://fb.me/e/9C4voQKnr 
 

The fire is currently 344,042 acres, 60% contained, with approximately 987 personnel assisting with fire suppression and logistical operations.  Resources include 42 engines, 36 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 20 hand crews and 11 bulldozers.

The Fresno County Sheriff is advising that a coordinated effort to collect the 60 vehicles left behind from evacuations earlier in the fire will be occurring on Saturday October 17, 2020 for Florence Lake and Sunday October 18, 2020 for Edison Lake. If a vehicle’s owner has not notified the Sheriff's Department that they need to retrieve a vehicle, they need to do so immediately.

Sierra National Forest is closed until November 1, 2020. At that point they will re-evaluate the closure.

Last night there was fire activity near Cassidy Meadow and south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. Due to weather conditions yesterday, a planned firing operation was canceled. Operations will evaluate and plan for other opportunities.

Suppression repair work is occurring on approximately 350 miles of line, and the assessments of impacts are nearly complete. Of 251 miles of dozer line, 46 miles has been repaired. Of 94 miles of hand line, 2 miles has been repaired.

The late season heat wave we are in currently should peak on Saturday then begin to moderate early next week. Smoke will accumulate near fires and adjacent to valleys overnight, including in the San Joaquin Valley, then into the mornings underneath an inversion near 5000 ft. Expect only limited air quality improvement during the day as winds will remain light. Expect minimal humidity recovery at mid to upper slope. Strong nighttime inversions and minimum humidity are expected. High pressure will become located over the state into the weekend. This will also confine smoke to drainages and valleys decreasing visibility and air quality.

View the full update (.pdf file)

 WEATHER INFORMATION:

The late season heat wave should peak on Saturday then begin to moderate early next week. Smoke will accumulate near fires and adjacent to valleys overnight, including the San Joaquin into the mornings underneath an inversion near 5000 ft. Expect only limited air quality improvement during the day as winds will remain light. Expect minimal humidity recovery at mid to upper slope. Strong nighttime inversions and minimum humidity are expected. High pressure will become located over the state into the weekend. This will also confine smoke to drainages and valleys decreasing visibility and air quality.

 SOUTH ZONE:

Last night fire activity was near Cassidy Meadow and south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. Due to weather conditions yesterday, a planned firing operation was canceled. Operations will evaluate and plan for other opportunities.

Suppression lines are currently being repaired. This total reflects 251 miles of Dozer line, of which 46 miles has been repaired and 94 miles of Hand Line Construction, 2 miles has

 NORTH ZONE: 

On the western side of the fire from the San Joaquin River north to the Little Shuteye Peak         area crews continue to patrol, mop up areas of heat and monitor for hot spots along the containment lines. With the support of aviation resources, crews near Little Shuteye Peak have been successful with suppression in unburned areas within the interior of the fire. In addition, these crews are also cutting hazard trees and chipping wood debris along roads.

Farther northwest near Upper Chiquito and Red Top areas crews continue to patrol and mop up along the containment lines. Suppression repair and rehabilitation crews continue constructing water bars on dozer lines to prevent future erosion. The Roads Group is working on cutting hazard trees in order to widen a safety barrier along roads affected by the fire. The Structure Group is patrolling interior, removing structure wrap in appropriate areas while monitoring the fire conditions near structures to make sure they remain secure.

The fire is currently 341,722 acres, 58% contained, with approximately 987 personnel assisting with fire suppression and logistical operations.  Resources include 42 engines, 36 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 20 hand crews and 11 bulldozers.

The fire remains to be active near Cassidy Meadow and south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. Due to weather conditions today, a planned firing operation was canceled. Operations will evaluate and plan for other opportunities.

Suppression lines are currently being repaired. This total reflects 251 miles of Dozer line, of which 46 miles has been repaired and 94 miles of Hand Line Construction, 2 miles has been repaired. Suppression repair work is occurring on approximately 350 miles of line and assessments of impacts are nearly complete.

Hot and dry weather continues through Saturday. Strong nighttime inversions and minimum humidity are expected. High pressure will become located over the state into the weekend. This will also confine smoke to drainages and valleys decreasing visibility and air quality.
 

For daily smoke information go to the California Smoke Information website:  https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ 
 
To get information about air quality and smoke in your area, go to the fire and smoke map at
https://www.airnow.gov/

View the full update (.pdf file)   

Weather Information: 

Hot and dry weather continues through Saturday with a moderate to strong inversion that was expected to set in late Wednesday evening at approximately 5500-foot elevation. This will confine smoke to drainages and valleys decreasing visibility and air quality. The inversion is expected to persist until approximately 1:00pm today. Critical fire weather conditions will continue, due to minimal humidity recovery and development of warmer than normal temperatures. 

 SOUTH ZONE: 

The fire continues to burn in fine and heavier fuels that lead into rock outcroppings on the northeast near Cassidy Meadows and south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. The weather allowed an opportunity for an aerial ignition operation to help remove some heavier fuels from the fire area yesterday. Smoke will continue to be seen from the area.  

Suppression lines are currently being repaired. This total reflects 251 miles of Dozer line, of which 46 miles has been repaired and 94 miles of Hand Line Construction, 2 miles has been repaired. Suppression repair work is occurring on approximately 350 miles of line and assessments of impacts are nearly complete.  

NORTH ZONE:   

On the western side of the fire from the San Joaquin River north to the Little Shuteye Peak area crews continue to patrol and monitor for hot spots along the containment lines. In addition to patrolling for hot spots these crews are also cutting hazard trees and chipping wood debris. Near Little Shuteye Peak a crew continues to work on that section of fire line. 

Farther northwest near Upper Chiquito crews continue to patrol and mop up along the containment line. In addition, suppression repair and rehabilitation work of constructing water bars to prevent erosion is being done on indirect lines. The Roads Group continues to work on cutting hazard trees in order to widen a safety barrier along roads affected by the fire. The Structure Group finished repair to hand lines in the Portuguese area and continues to monitor the fire conditions near structures to make sure they remain secure

The fire is currently 341,722 acres, 55% contained, with approximately 964 personnel assisting with fire suppression and logistical operations.  Resources include 47 engines, 35 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 19 hand crews and 11 bulldozers.

The fire continues to burn in fine and heavier fuels that lead into rock outcroppings on the northeast near Cassidy Meadows and south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. The weather allowed an opportunity for an aerial ignition operation to help remove some heavier fuels from the fire area yesterday. Smoke will continue to be seen from the area.

Suppression lines are currently being repaired. Suppression repair work is occurring on approximately 350 miles of line and assessments of impacts are nearly complete. This total reflects 251 miles of Dozer line, of which 46 miles has been repaired and 94 miles of Hand Line Construction, 2 miles has been repaired.

Hot and dry weather continues through Saturday with a moderate to strong inversion that was expected to set in late Wednesday evening at approximately 5500-foot elevation. This will confine smoke to drainages and valleys decreasing visibility and air quality. The inversion is expected to persist until approximately 1:00pm today. Critical fire weather conditions will continue, due to minimal humidity recovery and development of warmer than normal temperatures.
 
For daily smoke information go to the California Smoke Information website:  https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ 
 
To get information about air quality and smoke in your area, go to the fire and smoke map at
https://www.airnow.gov/
 
 
View the full update (.pdf file) 

The fire is currently 337,655 acres, 55% contained, with approximately 964 personnel assisting with fire suppression and logistical operations.  Resources include 47 engines, 35 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 19 hand crews and 11 bulldozers.

The fire continues to burn in fine and heavier fuels that lead into rock outcroppings on the northeast near Cassidy Meadows and south of the San Joaquin River near Junction Bluffs. The weather allowed an opportunity for an aerial ignition operation to help remove some heavier fuels from the fire area. This was the cause of the visible smoke plume.

Suppression lines are currently being repaired. Suppression repair work is occurring on approximately 350 miles of line and assessments of impacts are nearly complete. This total reflects 251 miles of Dozer line, of which 46 miles has been repaired and 94 miles of Hand Line Construction, 2 miles has been repaired.

Hot and dry weather continues through Saturday with a strong inversion and smoke/air quality reductions. Highs will approach records in the valley starting today. Smoke will increase across the area resulting in decreased visibility and air quality. Critical fire weather conditions are possible by today, due to minimal humidity recovery and development of warmer than normal temperatures. Ridgetop winds at higher elevations will increase today as an upper disturbance briefly passes aloft.
 
For daily smoke information go to the California Smoke Information website:  https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ 
 
To get information about air quality and smoke in your area, go to the fire and smoke map at
https://www.airnow.gov/
 
 
View the full update (.pdf file) 

Sierra National Forest Bass Lake Ranger District and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate a second re-entry trip for Arnold Meadow and Beasore Meadow as well as re-entry for the Central Camp Communities.

North Fork, CA. - The USFS-Sierra National Forest and Madera County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating a second Re-Entry trip for Arnold Meadows and Beasore Meadows as well as a Re-entry trip for the Central Camp Communities in order for community members to collect belongings and/or winterize their cabins.

Escorted access for the following areas within the Sierra National Forest-Bass Lake Ranger District, will only be allowed by permit and only to the following locations:

When:

Arnold Meadows/Beasore Meadows

Escorted Entry Date: Thursday October 22nd ,2020 only Escorted Exit Date: Sunday October 25th, 2020

Where to meet and receive Forest Permit/Escort:

Arnold Meadows community members will meet at the Old Mill Compound in North Fork, CA next to Madera County Fire Station #11 at 0900.

Beasore Meadows community members will meet at the Bass Lake Courthouse located on Road 274/ Road 222 at 0900.

When:

Central Camp

Escorted Entry Date: Friday October 23rd ,2020 only Escorted Exit Date: Monday October 26th, 2020

Where to meet and receive Forest Permit/Escort:

Central Camp community members will meet at the Bass Lake Courthouse located on Road 274/ Road 222 at 0900.

Each community predesignated meeting point will brief at 9:00 a.m. Madera County Sheriff’s and Sierra National Forest will provide FS permits and a briefing explaining what is permitted and what is not permitted while in your community. Be prepared and bring what you think you will need to complete the winterization of your home/property.

On October 25th, at 3:00 pm Arnold Meadows and Beasore Meadows escorts will arrive in Arnold Meadows/Beasore Meadows and community members will be escorted out of the community/forest. On October 25th, at 3:00pm the Central Camp escorts will arrive and community members will be escorted out of the community/forest.

The issued FS permit will only be for access to Arnold Meadow, Beasore Meadow and Central Camp through the closed Forest. The Sierra National Forest access remains restricted per Forest Closure Order No. 05-15-00-20-15. Anyone found outside the private property boundaries will be subject to citation and removal from the forest. There will be no trash services available or provided, it will be the responsibility of each party to be prepared to pack out their own trash. Please leave no trace!