Smoke from fires obscures the view from the Ash Mountain. Photo taken Monday, September 14 at 8 am.
NPS Photo

September 15, 2020 - Sequoia National Park is implementing a full park closure at 6 am on September 15 in response to the Castle Fire on the SQF Complex. Many park staff have been evacuated from the area and for visitor and resource protection, park managers have decided to close all entrances to Sequoia National Park.

During this unprecedented fire year, park managers have had to evaluate how to best balance the responsibilities to the public as well as the mental welfare and physical safety of the staff. “With Three Rivers and the park headquarters under an evacuation notice, staff is focused on preparing to evacuate.” Acting Superintendent Lee Taylor “To ensure any pending evacuation goes as smoothly as possible we are closing the park to visitors.” Park managers send their sincere thanks and gratitude for the support received during this incident.

Kings Canyon National Park remains open at this time. Visitors will not be able to access Sequoia National Park from Highway 198 or Highway 180 out of Fresno. The Giant Forest and sequoia trees will be inaccessible to visitors. All park campgrounds will be closed with reservations cancelled and refunded. Mineral King Road remains closed at this time.

For additional information on the SQF Complex, please visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048. For air quality information, please visit fire.airnow.gov.

Regional Wildfires and Air Quality

Due to increased particulate matter from widespread wildfires, air quality is poor in the parks. For more information on park air quality and current forecasts, visit our Air Quality Information webpage. You may also get current info on Twitter from @SequoiaKingsAir and by checking park and local webcams for visibility updates.

When air quality advisories indicate "Unhealthy for All levels" or "Hazardous," all individuals are at health risk through exposure, especially under exertion.

Most park visitor centers that provide park information outdoors and outdoor dining facilities have suspended operations due to concerns about air quality. If you decide to visit, be prepared to be self-reliant and expect limited visibility and the potential for additional closures.

Closure of Adjacent National Forests

Sequoia National Forest and other nearby forests are closed to public entry due to extreme fire danger. All recreation sites, roads, and trails are closed. Junction View, Grizzly Falls, and other popular overlooks and features along the Generals Highway and Highway 180 are also closed.Forest closures will be re-evaluated daily as conditions change. According to the closure order the following is prohibited within the Sequoia National Forest:

• Going into or being upon National Forest System lands
• Being on a National Forest System road

• Being on a National Forest System trail

The following facilities located on Forest Service lands are also closed: Hume Lake Market, Hume Lake Snack Shop, and Montecito Sequoia Lodge. Hume Lake Gas Station will remain open for credit card purchases.
Source: Sequoia National Park