Walker Fire
Walker Fire as seen from Walker Lake
Walker Fire as seen from Yosemite
Above photos from Saturday, August 15, 2015 - photo credit: Inciweb
Update: 3:26 A.M. Monday
CalTrans as od Monday August 17, 2015 at 3:26 A.M.
SR 120
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM 12 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395
/AT EAST YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY/ TO 1 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395
/TIOGA PASS/ (TUOLUMNE, MONO CO) - DUE TO A WILDFIRE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO
USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
Update: 8:00 P.M.
Good evening! Here is the latest official update on the #WalkerFire near June Lake/Lee Vining from the U.S. Forest Service - Inyo National Forest. Please note: SR 120W (Tioga Pass) is under a complete hard closure, in both directions, from Yosemite to Hwy 395 in Lee Vining. There are no more escorts on the pass and no one is permitted on the roadway other than necessary fire personnel and first responders. There are also new evacuations in the Lee Vining Canyon (upper canyon campgrounds). New fire crews and resources arrived today and crews made good progress on fire lines. Full details are below. Thank you! - Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer
Walker Fire Update
The Walker Fire is estimated to be 2,200 acres and is 10% contained. The fire is northeast of Walker Lake and west of Lee Vining Canyon.
Update: Additional fire crews arrived today. Fire crews made good progress on line construction today on the west, south, and eastern flanks, supported by air operations. However, the northern flank showed active fire behavior this afternoon and evening and led to further evacuations in Lee Vining Canyon (upper canyon campgrounds). Crews will continue to strengthen firelines tonight, focusing on the northern flank. Active fire behavior is expected tonight with low night-time relative humidity recovery.
Nate Rasner’s Type 3 Sierra Front team arrived today and was briefed on the Walker Fire. They assume command of the fire tomorrow morning at 6:00 am. The team will have a fire information line, 760-647-6472, to handle public and media inquiries.
Closures and Evacuations:
• Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.
• A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.
• Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass) is closed between Highway 395 and the Yosemite National Park Entrance.
• Campgrounds in the entire Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Junction, Ellery Lake, Tioga Lake Campground, Sawmill, and Saddlebag Campgrounds.
• The Tioga Pass and Saddlebag Resorts are under an evacuation advisory.
• The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.
• The Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations and it is suggested that visitors should avoid this area.
The fire is burning is mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining area and along Highway 395.
Approximately 350 firefighters are on scene as well as numerous aircraft, dozers, and engines. Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, neighboring forests BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Last Update: 11:30 A.M.
Mono County Sheriff Reminder:
As another reminder, SR 120W (Tioga Pass) is closed. This is a hard closure and no one is permitted through the closure. If you need to travel to Yosemite from our side of the hill, please find an alternate route. The fire is active in this area as are the fire crews battling the fire. Please do not try and hike around the area to get past the closures. The closures are meant for your safety and the safety of all first responders and fire crews. We appreciate everyone's patience during this fire. Thank you! - Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer
Last Update: August 16 at 9:30 A.M.
The Walker Fire is estimated to be 1,200 acres and is 7% contained.
The fire is northeast of Walker Lake and west of Lee Vining Canyon.
Update: The fire remained active most of last night, including torching and spotting. Fire crews focused on line construction on the north and east flanks in an effort to contain the active fire edge. Dozer lines and strategic burning operations were completed last night. Crews will strengthen and extend these lines today in an effort to keep the fire west of Highway 395 and south of Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass). The forecast calls for hot and dry conditions today and active fire behavior is expected.
Closures and Evacuations:
• Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.
• A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.
• Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass) between Highway 395 and Blue Slide (approximately 5 miles up-canyon from Highway 395) is closed.
• Campgrounds in the Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.
• The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.
• The Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations and it is suggested that visitors should avoid this area.
The fire is burning is mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened.
Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining area and along Highway 395.
Approximately 300 firefighters are on scene.
There are five helicopters, 4 dozers, and numerous engines assigned and more resources are on order.
Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, the Tahoe National Forest, BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Mono County Sheriff's Office
Last Update: August 16 at 9:00 A.M.
1200 Acres and 7% Containment
Last Update: August 15 at 9:00 P.M.
1200 Acres and 0% Containment
The Walker Fire is located north of Walker Lake, is estimated to be 1,200 acres and with no containment at this time.
The Walker Fire, located north of Walker Lake, started on Saturday, August 14.
Walker Lake is a popular recreation area for fishing and hiking. It is located west of June Lake, on the north end of the June Lake Loop, and is accessed by a dirt road 1N17.
Approximately 20 structures are threatened and have been evacuated near Walker Lake.
The fire is being managed in unified Command with Mono County Sheriff's Office.
Walker Lake is located northwest of June Lake, on the north end of the June Lake Loop.
The fire was very active today. Fire behavior was slope and wind-driven, growing to the north and east. The fire is expected to remain active tonight with low night-time relative humidity and temperature recovery.
Closures and Evacuations:
• Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.
• A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations. This was a NOTICE only to let people know there could be potential evacuations.
• Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass) between Highway 395 and Blue Slide (approximately 5 miles up-canyon from Highway 395) is closed.
• Campgrounds in the Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.
• The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.
• The Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations and it is suggested that visitors should avoid this area.
The fire is burning is mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining area and along Highway 395.
Approximately 300 firefighters are on scene.
There are five helicopters, 4 dozers, and numerous engines assigned and more resources are on order.
Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, The Tahoe National Forest, BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Please note that there are two Mono Passes on the Inyo National Forest. The Mono Pass accessed via Mosquito Flat from the Rock Creek Road remains opened.
