Willow Fire in Madera County near Bass Lake
Credit: USFS

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Willow Fire in Madera County Near Bass Lake

 
Update: Monday 7:54 P.M.

Total Personnel 1,215

1,521 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 5% Contained

Incident Overview

Fire crews will continue to build containment lines on all sides of the fire using direct and indirect strategies. The fire is in steep and rugged terrain, which requires hand crews hiking in and being supported by helicopters and air tankers. A strong high pressure system is expected to move into the area starting today. High temperatures are expected over the fire area over the next few days associated with the weather system.

As the Willow Fire continues to burn, smoke will be impacting local communities. Smoke is typically greater in the morning and evening hours. Plan outdoor activities for times and places with low smoke levels. Up-slope breezes occur during the day, which will often take smoke into higher elevations. In the evening, these winds change direction and bring smoke down slope to lower elevations. For more information about smoke impacts, please visit the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Districts website at:http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm

The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team officially took over command yesterday evening. A Willow Fire information phone number has been established for further infromation about the fire. That number is (559) 877-7449.

Evacuations

- The Central Camp area was evacuated due to the fire.
-The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center and is located at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425 B in Oakhurst, CA.

Closures

-Gagges, Whiskers, and Whiskey Falls campgrounds are closed.
 All roads from 227 to these campgrounds are closed.

Basic Information

Current as of	7/27/2015, 7:54:22 PM
Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	Saturday July 25th, 2015 approx. 02:30 PM
Location	NE of North Fork, CA
Incident Commander	David Cooper SCSIIMT
Incident Description	Wildfire

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,215
Size	1,521 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	5%
Fuels Involved	Timber, Chaparral, Tall grass.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Fire crews will continue to build containment lines on all sides of the fire using direct and indirect strategies. The fire is in steep and rugged terrain, which requires hand crews hiking in and being supported by helicopters and air tankers. Crew will begin mop up where safe to do so.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns	A strong high pressure ridge is expected in the area of the fire Tuesday, which will bring much warmer temperatures. Localized down canyon winds in the Willow Creek Drainage will push the fire at night.

 

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Update: Monday 6:10 P.M.

1,521 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 5% Contained

South Central Sierra Interagency IMT (Cooper) is in command.

Evacuations remain unchanged.

Madera County Road 274 was reopened today at 1200.

 

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Update: Monday 12:44 P.M.

Road 274 between Bass Lake and North Fork has been reopened. Please drive with caution as fire crews remain in the area.

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Update: Monday 7:51 A.M.

1,521 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 5% Contained

Incident Overview

Fire crews will continue to build containment lines on all sides of the fire using direct and indirect strategies. The fire is in steep and rugged terrain, which requires hand crews hiking in and being supported by helicopters and air tankers. A strong high pressure system is expected to move into the area starting today. High temperatures are expected over the fire area over the next few days associated with the weather system.

As the Willow Fire continues to burn, smoke will be impacting local communities. Smoke is typically greater in the morning and evening hours. Plan outdoor activities for times and places with low smoke levels. Up-slope breezes occur during the day, which will often take smoke into higher elevations. In the evening, these winds change direction and bring smoke down slope to lower elevations. For more information about smoke impacts, please visit the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Districts website at:http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm

The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team officially took over command yesterday evening. A Willow Fire information phone number has been established for further infromation about the fire. That number is (559) 877-4779.

Evacuations

- The Central Camp area was evacuated due to the fire.
-The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center and is located at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425 B in Oakhurst, CA.

Closures

-Road 274 between North Fork and Bass Lake and Willow Canyon Road remain closed until further notice.
-Gagges and Whiskers campgrounds are closed.

Basic Information

Current as of	7/27/2015, 7:51:19 AM
Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	Saturday July 25th, 2015 approx. 02:30 PM
Location	NE of North Fork, CA
Incident Commander	David Cooper SCSIIMT
Incident Description	Wildfire

Current Situation

Total Personnel	785
Size	1,521 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	5%
Fuels Involved	Timber, Chaparral, Tall grass.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Fire crews will continue to build containment lines on all sides of the fire using direct and indirect strategies. The fire is in steep and rugged terrain, which requires hand crews hiking in and being supported by helicopters and air tankers.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns	High pressure ridge is expected in the area of the fire Tuesday, which will bring much warmer temperatures. Localized down canyon winds in the Willow Creek Drainage will push the fire at night.

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Update: Monday 7:20 A.M.

1,521 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 5% Contained

South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team (Cooper) has assumed command of the incident

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Update: Sunday 7:55 P.M.


1,521 Acres, heavy brush and timber, 5% Contained

Incident Overview

The Willow fire continued to grow and is estimated to be 1,521 acres.

It began at 2:30 pm on July 25, 2015 in the Sierra National Forest. 

It started near Road 274 between Central Camp Road and Willow Canyon Drive. 

The fire is burning through a mix of tall grass, brush, and timber; and the area has a heavy concentration of fallen dead trees from past fires, drought, and beetle kill. 

Short range spotting and active burning has been observed and expected to continue as temperatures rise. Crews and engines have made positive progress on the ground, and have been supported with air resources. A very large airtanker (VLAT), two more airtankers, and five helicopters are currently assigned to the incident.

Road 274 and most adjacent roads near Central Camp are closed. Gaggs and Whiskers campgrounds have been evacuated and closed. 

There are 450 structures currently threatened by the fire. 

Residents of Central Camp have been placed under mandatory evacuation and additional evacuation advisories have been issued in the Cascadel Woods. 

The Willow Fire is currently 5% contained, and an estimated 785 personnel have been ordered to fight the blaze.

Basic Information

Current as of	7/26/2015, 7:55:04 PM
Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	Saturday July 25th, 2015 approx. 02:30 PM
Incident Commander	David Cooper SCSIIMT
Incident Description	Wildfire

Current Situation

Total Personnel	785
Size	1,521 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	5%
Fuels Involved	Timber, Chaparral, Tall grass.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns	High pressure ridge is expected in the area of the fire Tuesday, which will bring much warmer temperatures. Localized down canyon winds in the Willow Creek Drainage will push the fire at night.