Click here for Tuesday's Updates: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Updates
Briefing Map Shows Divisions, Uncontrolled Fire Edge, Completed Dozer Lines.
Note: Map is 1,500 pixels wide.
Click here for Tuesday's Updates: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Updates
Evening Update: KNP Complex Fire for Monday Evening, 23,743 acres, now with 810 personnel.
Basic Information
| Current as of | 9/20/2021, 4:56:13 PM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Friday September 10th, 2021 approx. 07:00 AM |
| Location | Sequoia National Park |
| Incident Commander | Mark Morales |
| Incident Description | Complex |
| Coordinates | 36.567 latitude, -118.811 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 810 |
| Size | 23,743 Acres |
| Estimated Containment Date | Sunday October 10th, 2021 approx. 12:00 AM |
| 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 Crowning Uphill Runs Spotting |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Continued protection and mitigation measures for all sequoia groves within the fire area, including the Giant Forest Sequoia Grove. Structure protection planning and mitigation efforts for National Park infrastructure. Indirect dozer line construction on Cal Fire protection areas and the western park boundary to provide for structure protection and values at risk in Three Rivers and surrounding community. Scout opportunities for direct handline where possible. |
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Humidity levels remain low allowing for active fire behavior through the night with flanking,short uphill runs and group torching. 24 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. 48 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. 72 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. Anticipated after 72 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
Cooler and more moist conditions developed over the KNP Complex today. Despite that, a passing cold front brought slightly stronger winds, better clearing of some smoke, and increased ventilation. |
Update: KNP Complex Wildfire Community Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, 2021
A community meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. at the Central Sierra Chamber of Commerce located at 54120 Hwy. 245, Pinehurst, CA.
The meeting will be live streamed on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/SequoiaKingsNPS.
A recording will be available for viewing on Facebook and on Inciweb in the “videos” section after the meeting concludes.
Update: Acres: 23,743 acres (based on infrared flight) Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 11, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 810 personnel including 29 crews, 27 engines, 19 water tenders, and 8 helicopters
There was about 1,700 acres of growth on the KNP Complex wildfire yesterday.
Most of it occurred in the Crystal Cave area where the fire got into a “bowl,” a topographic feature, which allowed it to move rapidly uphill. Smoke is expected to moderate fire weather conditions this morning with mild and dry conditions.
Winds in the afternoon will push some smoke eastward. An uptick in wind and thinning smoke will allow for better ventilation in the late afternoon/evening. This will be the most critical portion of the burn period.
Fire crews are continuing with structure protection planning and mitigations for the Giant Forest and Lodgepole developed areas to minimize any potential fire impacts or structure damage. Spot fires are being actively monitored. There was no growth in the direction of the Three Rivers community.
Air quality is seriously affected in Three Rivers. Particulate matter readings have been in the “hazardous” range for much of the day. Base camp has moved from Three Rivers to Woodlake to give fire personnel a reprieve from poor air quality.
There have been no changes to evacuation warnings or orders at this time, but residents in areas currently under an 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 an evacuation warning or order, as well as other evacuation resources, at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies.
A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.
Sequoia National Park is closed to the public and large portions of Kings Canyon National Park have now been closed. The closure includes all lands within the boundaries of Sequoia National Park west of the Pacific Crest Trail; west of the Generals Highway and south of Highway 180 and all lands within the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin.
Note: Evacuation Orders were issued late Sunday evening:
Sheriff Boudreaux has issued an EVACUATION WARNING for the Wilsonia area of Kings Canyon National Park in Tulare County. The warning includes all structures, side roads, associated roads, and forest service roads, due to the KNP Complex Fire.
Evacuation warnings are voluntary. Community members are strongly encouraged to prepare to evacuate if it becomes necessary. If individuals feel they need more time, please consider leaving the area now.
The temporary evacuation point, where you may find information and assistance, is at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 N. Magnolia. Individuals who may need assistance evacuating may call 2-1-1. Older individuals (60+) who need assistance with evacuation or information may call the senior hotline at 1-800-321-2462.
When preparing to evacuate, please consider bringing important documents, necessary medication, changes of clothing, and hygiene items. If you are able to evacuate your domestic animals, remember to pack food, leashes, and other items. If you are not able to plan to evacuate your domestic animals or livestock, please make arrangements with Tulare County Animal Services prior to transporting your animals to an available shelter location by completing the Fire Assistance Evacuation Form located on the Tulare County Animal Services website at: https://tcanimalservices.org/.../animal-evacuation-form/.
All other warnings and orders related to the KNP Complex Fire remain in effect.
Please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ for the KNP Complex Fire Evacuation Warning Area Map.
Morning Update:
Basic Information
| Current as of | 9/20/2021, 7:29:23 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 |
| Incident Description | Complex |
| Coordinates | 36.567 latitude, -118.811 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 810 |
| Size | 23,743 Acres |
| Estimated Containment Date | Sunday October 10th, 2021 approx. 12:00 AM |
| 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 Crowning Uphill Runs Spotting |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Continued protection and mitigation measures for all sequoia groves within the fire area, including the Giant Forest Sequoia Grove. Structure protection planning and mitigation efforts for National Park infrastructure. Indirect dozer line construction on Cal Fire protection areas and the western park boundary to provide for structure protection and values at risk in Three Rivers and surrounding community. Scout opportunities for direct handline where possible. |
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Humidity levels remain low allowing for active fire behavior through the night with flanking,short uphill runs and group torching. 24 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. 48 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. 72 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. Anticipated after 72 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
Cooler and more moist conditions developed over the KNP Complex today. Despite that, a passing cold front brought slightly stronger winds, better clearing of some smoke, and increased ventilation. |
September 20, 2021 - KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia National Park updates for Monday: 23,743 Interpreted Acres.
Overnight Infrared Flight Notes: Interpreted Size: 23,743 Acres - Growth since last flight: 1,966 AcresSignificant growth in the NNW section.
Perimeter slightly grew to the north and east with the south showing very little change from last period.
Scattered heat is most significant in the north and south with the middle of the fire where Paradise and Colony merged containing mostly isolated heat.
Today's Infrared Map
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
Click here for: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Sunday, September 19, 2021 Updates
