On September 12, 2023 the Tulare County Library will begin offering expanded hours. This is another step in responding to our communities’ request for library services and additional hours. The Three Rivers Branch Library will be open until 7pm on Thursday.
Announcements
Ignition operations are planned to begin on Wednesday 09/13 and continue for about 7 days. While ignition operations are being conducted, there may be a noticeable increase in smoke production.
Surplus wood is currently available to the public by permit in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Firewood permits are free, but you must obtain your permit before wood can be removed.
Fire management staff and park leadership have elected to utilize a confine and contain strategy to manage the Redwood Fire, located in the wilderness of Sequoia National Park, near Redwood Meadow. The lightning-ignited fire is currently 75 acres in size and burning at low intensity up a steep, forested slope. It currently poses no threats to life or property.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Swiftwater Rescue is on scene of a drowning on the Kaweah River near the Potwisha Campground. Sheriff Boudreaux would like to remind anyone near waterways in Tulare County to be extremely careful, as the record snowpack melts in the Sierra have created very fast and very cold currents.
Our friends at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have provided another update on the storm recovery efforts. The Mineral King Road will not be open to public access this 2023 season, significant work is taking place on General’s Highway, pavement preservation work continues in Grant Grove, and shuttle service in Giant Forest remains suspended until further notice.
Sequoia Shuttle bus drivers will go on strike effective July 1 due to failed contract negotiations with Transdev. This is impacting all transit services offered by Visalia Transit, including the Sequoia Shuttle. Accordingly, There will be no Sequoia Shuttle service until further notice. Printable notice attached.
The Generals Highway between the Foothills and Giant Forest areas of Sequoia National Park will reopen to public travel on Saturday, July 1. Road construction is still underway along two sections of the highway, and traffic lights will be used to manage one-lane vehicle travel.
Our friends at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have provided another update on the storm recovery efforts. Access to Giant Forest from Hwy 198 in Three Rivers is expected to open July 1! They are assessing the Mineral King Road to determine what, if any, public access will be possible this summer and to develop guidelines for resident access.
Following a successful test burn this morning, ignitions have officially begun on the Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn. This follows an unsuccessful test burn yesterday. There are no planned road closures associated with the Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn, but short delays may occur. Visitors may see smoke, active fire, and firefighters. Please drive slowly and follow all firefighter instructions. Smoke impacts are expected to be brief, as the fine vegetation in the burn areas will be consumed quickly.
Firefighters plan to begin ignitions on the 2023 Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn in the foothills of Sequoia National Park on Wednesday, June 7. Three to five days of ignitions are planned. This project consists of 35 acres of broadcast prescribed burning and an additional 4 acres of non-fire fuels reduction (using weed whips, chainsaws, etc.). Visitors to the parks may see active fire, smoke, firefighters, and firefighting equipment along the roadways. Little smoke impact in Three Rivers is expected.
The Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park, home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world (by volume), will reopen to the public on Friday, June 2. Access to the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas will only be possible from Kings Canyon National Park, via the Big Stump entrance station on Highway 180. It is not possible to reach this area or giant sequoias from the Sequoia National Park entrance station on Highway 198 in Three Rivers.