Click here for Friday's Updates: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Friday, October 1, 2021 Updates
Thursday's Infrared Map
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
Click here for Friday's Updates: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Friday, October 1, 2021 Updates
Update 9:30 A.M.
Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2
Dave Bales – Incident Commander
Acres: 49,349 acres
Containment: 11%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Resources: 1,949 personnel including: 53 crews, 78 engines, 44 water tenders, 35 dozers and 17 helicopters
Yesterday, fire activity was minimal in most areas along the perimeter. Firefighters continued to scout and construct direct line, strengthen and hold existing lines, monitor the perimeter and work on contingency lines. As smoke and conditions allowed, helicopters conducted buckets drops on isolated pockets of heat, slowing fire spread on the western perimeter, in the Pine Grove area, and the east side of Generals Highway. Crews constructed containment line north of Lodgepole, and structure protection groups continued to shore up protections for local communities.
Today, a drying weather trend is expected to increase fire activity. Structure protection groups will remain positioned to focus on and protect local communities including Three Rivers, Hartland and Ash Mountain, the giant sequoia groves, historic buildings and other infrastructure. Helicopters are available to conduct bucket drops to support firefighters on the ground. Crews continue to work along Mineral King Road in anticipation of increased fire activity and look for opportunities to safely construct direct line north of Mineral King Road. Firefighters continue to prep and protect the Giant Forest, Muir, Lost, and Redwood sequoia groves.
There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. 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 a warning or order 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 and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.
Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.
Update 7:30 A.M. 49,349 Acres with 11% Containment
Basic Information
| Current as of | 9/30/2021, 7:18:17 AM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Friday September 10th, 2021 approx. 07:00 AM |
| Location | Sequoia National Park |
| Incident Commander | David Bales |
| Incident Description | Complex |
| Coordinates | 36.567 latitude, -118.811 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,949 |
| Size | 49,349 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 11% |
| Fuels Involved |
Timber (Litter and Understory) Chaparral (6 feet) Short Grass (1 foot) |
| Significant Events |
Observed Fire Behavior: Active Uphill Runs Flanking Isolated Torching A slight uptick in fire behavior today with the lower humidity and clear skies. Moderate to active fire behavior. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Utilize indirect tactics including both hand crews and heavy equipment to continue line construction along Cal Fire protection areas and outside the western park boundary to provide for structure protection and minimize impacts to values at risk in Three Rivers, Silver City, Hartland and surrounding communities. Utilize direct tactics where feasible and with a high probability of success to limit further fire spread. Improve structure protection and mitigation efforts for National Park infrastructure. Continue to monitor high- value infra-structure within the National Park to include the Park Headquarters, Museum, and employee housing. Continued protection and mitigation measures for all sequoia groves within the fire area, including the Giant Forest Sequoia Grove. When attributes of fire behavior are favorable to the landscape, allow fire spread to aid in fuels reduction in and adjacent to the groves. Continue strategic firing as fire approaches primary lines with Fire Use modules, hand crews, and UAS. Utilize strategic firing when needed to help meet the objectives identified for this fire. |
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Poor over night recovery will allow the fire behavior to remain elevated tonight. Expect to see moderate to active fire behavior. 24 hours: Fire behavior continue to intensify as the fuels dry. Very active fire behavior is expected. Movement will be to the north, south and north of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah river. 48 hours: A continuation of the dry weather will keep the fire behavior elevated to very active to extreme. 72 hours: Low humidity will provide for the fire behavior to stay at very active to extreme. Anticipated after 72 hours: Sky cover will help keep the fire behavior limited. Expect to see very active with some extreme fire behavior. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
High pressure begins to build across central CA, with warmer temperatures and lighter winds today. Northwest winds keep pushing smoke to the southeast, but will decrease tonight and tomorrow. Humidity recovery will be poor, with much drier conditions through the weekend. |
September 30, 2021 - KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia National Park updates for Thursday: 49,349 Acres.
Overnight Infrared Flight Notes: Interpreted Size: 49,349 Interpreted Acres - Growth since last flight: 478 Acres
Observed perimeter growth in Div S, Div P & Div C
System Techs: Clear skies and little wind at airfield. Some haze/smoke over the fire, but clear visual of the ground.
Click here for: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Updates
Thursday's Briefing Map
Briefing Map Shows Divisions, Uncontrolled Fire Edge, Completed Dozer Lines.
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
