Note: Click here for Sunday's Updates on the KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park
Briefing Map Shows Divisions, Uncontrolled Fire Edge, Completed Dozer Lines.
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
Note: Click here for Sunday's Updates on the KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park
September 18, 2021 - KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia National Park updates for Saturday: 17861 Interpreted Acres.
SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM Mark Morales – Incident Commander
KNP Complex Update September 18, 2021
Acres: 17,857 acres (based on infrared flight) Percent Containment: 0% Start Date: September 10, 2021 Cause: Lightning Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 416 personnel including 10 crews, 28 engines, 6 water tenders, and 8 helicopters
The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. The two fires that comprised the complex, the Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire, merged yesterday, and going forward will be considered a single fire.
Yesterday afternoon, smoke dispersed at the northeast end of the fire, and airflow increased, causing activity to pick up significantly. As of this morning, the fire has reached the vicinity of Red Fir maintenance area, with some spotting further north. Despite little to no relative humidity recovery overnight, fire growth overnight was fairly limited. The fire reached a small area of the Giant Forest yesterday, in the area known as the Four Guardsmen, where trees had been thoroughly prepped in recent days. The General Sherman Tree did not see fire yesterday. Hotshot crews are assessing on the ground this morning to ascertain if conditions are stable enough for more crews to reengage in this area.
By contrast, the southern end of the fire remained under a smoke inversion all day yesterday, with moderate fire behavior. The fire did not grow significantly in the direction of Three Rivers or park headquarters yesterday. Tulare County Fire and CAL FIRE continue to establish dozer lines and reinforce existing containment features, such as the Shepherd Saddle Road, between the community and the current fire footprint. Structure protection is underway in cabin communities along the Mineral King Road, with more resources assigned today to ramp up these efforts.
Winds are expected to pick up in and around the fire area. A red flag warning is in place starting at 5 p.m. today through Sunday. Crews are preparing for changes and possible significant increases in fire activity. There have been no changes to evacuation warnings or orders at this time. Residents currently under evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under evacuation warning and order, as well as other evacuation resources, at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies.
Sequoia National Park is closed to the public. Kings Canyon National Park remains open, but air quality impacts are significant. Air quality is seriously affected in Three Rivers. Particulate matter readings have been in the “hazardous” range for much of the day. Communities further from the parks are also feeling air quality impacts. Track your local air quality at www.fire.airnow.gov.
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
Basic Information
| Current as of | 9/18/2021, 11:24:03 AM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Friday September 10th, 2021 approx. 07:00 AM |
| Location | Sequoia National Park |
| Incident Commander | Mark Morales |
| Coordinates | 36.567 latitude, -118.811 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 493 |
| Size | 17,857 Acres |
| Fuels Involved |
Timber (Litter and Understory) Chaparral (6 feet) Short Grass (1 foot) Narrative: Timber litter, brush, steep terrain, high density of 10 year old snags. |
| Significant Events |
Observed Fire Behavior: Extreme Uphill Runs Flanking Extreme Uphill Runs Flanking |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Continued protection and mitigation measures for Giant Forest Sequoia Grove. Structure protection planning and mitigation efforts for National Park infrastructure. Indirect dozer line construction on Cal Fire protection areas to provide for structure protection and values at risk in Three Rivers and surrounding community. |
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: The fire will remain active through the night with backing and flanking fire. 24 hours: Heavy concentration of smoke held the fire activity to terrain driven surface spread of backing, flanking and uphill runs. 48 hours: As smoke clears in the afternoon the fire is active with terrain driven surface spread, spotting and short crown fire runs as Rh levels drop and temperature increases. Poor Rh recovery will allow the fire to burn through the night. 72 hours: As smoke clears in the afternoon the fire is active with terrain driven surface spread, spotting, and short crown fire runs as Rh levels drop and temperature increases. Poor Rh recovery will allow the fire to burn through the night. Anticipated after 72 hours: As smoke clears in the afternoon the fire is active with terrain driven surface spread, spotting and short crown fire runs as Rh levels drop and temperature increases. Poor Rh recovery will allow the fire to burn through the night. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
Despite very smoky conditions over the KNP Complex, conditions remained mild and very dry today with temps in the 70s and 80s with humidity dropping to near 10%. Winds have been mainly light to moderate and out of the south. Little to no recovery is expected tonight. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Saturday afternoon into Sunday for gusty winds and low humidit |
Overnight Infrared Flight Notes: Interpreted Size: 17,861 Acres - Growth since last flight: 6,533 Acres
Colony Fire and Paradise Fire have merged.
Fire has extensive growth on the northeast boundary of Colony.
The Paradise portion has growth on the southwest border and the northwest border.
There is not much difference between areas of scattered heat and isolated heat within the perimeter.
One isolated heat source up north.
Today's Infrared Map
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
Click here for: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Friday, September 17, 2021 Updates
