Click here for Monday's Updates: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Monday, October 11, 2021 Updates
Sunday's Infrared Map
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
Click here for Monday's Updates: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Monday, October 11, 2021 Updates
Update 10:00: County of Tulare
For Immediate Release
October 10, 2021
COUNTY TO DOWNGRADE EVACUATION ORDERS FOR AREAS AFFECTED BY KNP COMPLEX
VISALIA, CA – Effective at 12 noon, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2021, Tulare County will downgrade the Evacuation Order to Evacuation Warning for residences in the communities of Hartland and Eshom Valley. Only property owners will be allowed to access these areas. Proof of ownership will be needed to access these areas. At this time, only residents and business owners are permitted to return to the area.
Sheriff Boudreaux and the National Park Service want to remind everyone Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park remains closed. Fire personnel and heavy equipment are still traveling throughout the area. Please be mindful of the personnel on the ground and equipment in the area.
Effective at 12 noon, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2021, Tulare County will remove the Evacuation Warning for residences in the Badger Area.
Roadblocks will be at Eshom Valley Dr and Pierce Valley Rd, and at Eshom Valley Dr and Whittaker Forest.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will remain closed and only fire personnel are allowed inside the park at this time. At this time, only residents and business owners are permitted to return. Residents living in these areas may return to their homes after showing proof of residence to law enforcement officers. Proper documentation must include the person’s name and address within the impacted area. Examples include a driver’s license, utility bill or address documentation from the U.S. Post Office for people who use a post office box.
Residents returning to evacuation warning areas should be ready to leave again at a moment’s notice, as the fire is still active in some areas. Conditions may change, which may cause officials to re-issue mandatory evacuation status, if necessary.
Tulare County advises residents returning to communities impacted by wildfires to take caution upon returning to their homes:
• Conduct a thorough inspection of structures, which may have been damaged, to prevent injury;
• Do not consume refrigerated or frozen food stored in appliances that may have lost electricity, and dispose of these items properly;
• Wear personal protective equipment, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, hard hats, safety glasses, leather gloves, and steel toe boots, to reduce risk of injury;
• Be aware of burnt or unstable trees on your route or on your property and hidden hotspots underground which may present hazards;
• Do not enter a confined space (for example, septic tanks, storage tanks, utility vaults, wells) without proper training and equipment;
• Avoid potential electrical hazards such as damaged power lines and electrical equipment that has been exposed to fire heat;
• Be cautious around hazardous and potentially dangerous materials such as propane tanks, gasoline tanks, and chemicals, and seek professional help in assessing or removing any hazardous waste;
• Use proper lifting techniques when removing debris and other items, and seek help from others when moving heavy or bulky items to reduce risk of musculoskeletal injuries;
• Wear personal protective equipment to avoid exposure to smoke and ash, dispose of ash using vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters;
• During clean up, use a particulate respirator mask, either P95 or P100 (sold at pharmacies), to provide protection from smoke and ash inhalation;
• Avoid burned items that may contain hazardous materials. Avoid ash from decks and fences treated with chromated copper arsenate (a wood preservative) as it may contain lethal amounts of arsenic;
• Do not consume any food, beverages, or medications that have been exposed to burn debris or ash;
• Seek support as needed for emotional stress and mental and physical fatigue resulting from evacuation from and return to your residence;
• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy for information about your home and property coverage; and,
Always be aware of your surroundings, and proceed cautiously to avoid hazards when returning to an area affected by wildfire. Seek professional help when assessing potential hazards and seek medical assistance when necessary.
Facebook Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Update: October 10, 2021
Acres: 87,145 acres
Containment: 20%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest
Resources: 1,935 personnel including: 41 crews, 112 engines, 36 water tenders, 21 dozers and 16 helicopters
Announcement: KNP Complex North and South Zone Virtual Community Meeting will be held Sunday October 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be live streamed to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook Page, the Sequoia National Forest Facebook Page and the KNP Complex YouTube channel. Please email 2021.knp@firenet.gov with questions prior to the meeting.
North Zone: Fire crews are taking advantage of the recent rain and favorable weather. Higher fuel moisture and increased humidity has decreased the chance of rapid fire spread allowing for line construction directly on the fire’s edge in several areas where it was previously unsafe to do so. Six hot shot crews are making good progress cutting line from the area of Big Baldy Mountain south to Cabin Creek. Structure protection groups are deployed in Giant Forest Grove, Wilsonia and Grant Grove. These groups are protecting both structures and sequoia groves. Sprinkler systems have been set up around structures and within the groves. Work on the west contingency line at Logger Peak and Dark Canyon is expected to be completed in a couple of days.
South Zone: California Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the South Zone on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm. They will continue to build upon the good work previously done by Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2. Firefighters assisted by aviation assets will continue to patrol and mop up along the fire perimeter starting at the zone break, working south towards Advent. With the additional containment along the southwest portion of the fire, crews will begin to backhaul the nearly 40,000 ft of hose lay in place. Firefighters are utilizing the existing dozer line to access the fire perimeter northeast of Three Rives. They will address any concerning heats along the perimeter, air support will be available to assist with bucket drops as visibility allows. Secondary contingency lines continue to be scouted in preparation of any movement. Containment of the south end of the fire continues to be a high priority. Crews are working to keep the fire north of the East Fork of the Kaweah River. Handline is being constructed in the southwest corner to prevent spread to the west of Mineral King Road. Preparation and protection efforts are ongoing in Atwell Grove.
Weather: A weak high pressure system over the area will bring slightly warmer temperatures today.
Safety: Please continue to respect closures and reduce speeds when traveling in and around the fire area.
Evacuations: Evacuation ORDERS and WARNINGS are in place. For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0. Learn to prepare for an evacuation by visiting https://www.readyforwildfire.org/.
Closures: 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. View closures at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/
Smoke Impacts: Current air quality updates can be found at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.
October 10, 2021 - KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia National Park updates for Sunday: 87,467 Acres with 20% Containment.
Overnight Infrared Flight Notes: Interpreted Size: 87,467 Interpreted Acres - Growth since last flight: About 322 Acres
-Very little growth and very little intense heat anywhere inside the perimeter.
-Heat sources ID’d in Silver City IVO Mineral King Rd. Unknown cause, but observed and recorded.
-Not a whole lot of difference between scattered heat areas and isolated heat throughout perimeter
Click here for: KNP Complex Wildfires in Sequoia National Park Saturday, October 9, 2021 Updates
Sunday's Briefing Map
Briefing Map Shows Divisions, Uncontrolled Fire Edge, Completed Dozer Lines.
Note: Map is 1,200 pixels wide.
