Pack string carrying back haul from the Lions Fire 
Credit: Sierra National Forest - Inciweb 

June 28, 2018 - Lions Fire Morning Update: Overnight the Lions Fire spread only slightly to the southwest and is now at 3,007 acres. Winds are expected to be lighter today which may help firefighters with their containment efforts. The fire is now 5% contained. Crews continue working on building and securing containment lines primarily along the eastern and southwest edges.

The lightning caused fire was detected in early June and is currently burning in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. It is located primarily in the Stairway Creek drainage, north and west of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River.

A community meeting is scheduled for tonight, Thursday, June 28, at the US Forest Service Auditorium located across the pavilion from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, 2510 Main Street, at 6:00 P.M. Interested members of the public and media are encouraged to attend. Fire management staff will be present to answer questions.

All lodging and recreational services are open in Mammoth Lakes and Devils Postpile National Monument. The Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail are open at this time. The following lateral trails leading into the fire area will be closed in the near future: Sierra NF: 26E01 (Mammoth Trail) to the Inyo NF Boundary, 26E56, 26E14, and 2646 from the Inyo NF boundary. Inyo NF trail closures include 26E01 from the Sierra NF to 2601 junction, and 2601 from the boundary of the Inyo NF and Devils Postpile National Monument (King Creek Trail).

Wildland fire, just as wind and weather, has helped shape the beauty of the Sierra Nevada and is an integral and necessary part of the ecosystem. The Lions Fire will help diminish the risk of future fires in the area being larger, more destructive, and harder to control. The fire is currently staffed by 330 people, including seven handcrews and seven helicopters. The handcrews are remaining overnight at camps around the fire’s perimeter and are being supported by mules and helicopters.

Air quality and smoke forecasts are available at: airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

For more information about smoke conditions in the area, visit webcams at www.mammothmountain.com and the alert tab at nps.gov/DEPO

Source: Inciweb

Air Quality Report 6/28/2018

Lions Fire Wildfire

Special Statement

Smoke Outlook is for PM2.5 levels.

Fire

Decreased fire activity yesterday should continue today with less wind and low probability of fire growth. Burn down of heavy fuels has also reduced smoke production. Wind shifts Friday could produce increased fire growth.

Smoke

Smoke production from the fire has decreased. Smoke from previous days lingers in the Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake area. Wind shift today could decrease AQ in the upper Owens Valley this evening with improving conditions Friday morning.

Impacts to the Southern Sacramento Valley are possible into the weekend.

Weather

Gusty winds and low relative humidity continues. Afternoon temps in the mid-80s; RH in the mid-teens, and afternoon

winds SW 10-15 with gusts to 35. Cooler Friday, but temperatures rebound for the weekend. Winds shift to

northeast Thursday night and to north on Friday. 

LINKS:

Issued by USFS Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program www.wildlandfiresmoke.net

Southern Sierra Updates tools.airfire.org/production-outlooks/SouthernSierra 

Smoke and Health Info www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index

Devil's Postpile National Park conditions nps.gov/DEPO

Basic Information

Current Situation

Outlook

Current Weather

Related information: 

Sierra National Forest Lions Fire Monday Evening Updates

Sierra National Forest Lions Fire Update for Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Sierra National Forest Lions Fire Update for Wednesday, June 27, 2018