In light of the continuing growth of the Coffeepot Fire, the Three Rivers Fire Safe Council has issued some helpful guidance. In addition, the Three Rivers Together Team encourages us all to check on our neighbors to see if they need help getting fire-ready. Click the links for details.
Category: fires
On August 16th, the Coffeepot Fire grew to 228 acres. This growth was expected, even as full suppression efforts continue. Should fire conditions change in a way that warrants evacuation advisories, the park will get that message out immediately. Park personnel are working closely with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Services should this need arise in the days or weeks ahead, but this is not foreseen at this time. A larger Complex Incident Management Team is arriving August 17. The park will provide some more detailed information about this fire and how we’ve gotten to this point during an upcoming public meeting. Click the link above for more details.
The Coffeepot Fire has reached nearly 100 acres due to large burning logs rolling downhill and the dry fuels on the rugged landscape. This fire does not currently pose a threat to life or property, and fire crews are actively working on suppression efforts. It is expected that this fire remains on the landscape for weeks to come. Click the link above from more information.
The Coffeepot Fire is currently 50 acres and burning slowly in steep and challenging terrain. This morning, fire spread along the southwestern perimeter as it entered into Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction. At this time the fire will continue to be managed by the National Park Service. Firefighters are actively addressing the spread with support from air resources, focusing on direct attack strategies to work towards full suppression. Additional resources have been mobilized to support firefighting efforts. While full containment will take time, there is no immediate threat to surrounding communities. Click link above for more information.
Click the link above for a SEKI update about the Coffeepot Fire. This 9.5 acre fire does not currently pose a threat to life or property, and crews are actively working to suppress it. Late Sunday, tanker aircraft dropped a significant amount of fire retardant around the fire area to box in the fire. That containment is still holding this morning. Helicopter 552 is doing water drops this morning to enforce last night’s retardant box. Crews will be inserted by helicopter to work on hand line.
A small wild fire is burning on the ridge between Case Mountain and Homer’s Nose, and smoke has been visible from many parts of Three Rivers since yesterday (11 August). A helicopter is currently deployed in the location and we expect more information soon. Click the link above for links, a photo, and a map.
Due to the high fire risk, ALL fireworks, including Safe and Sane Fireworks, are ILLEGAL in Three Rivers and the surrounding area, including the BLM lands (e.g., the Salt Creek and Case Mountain area) and Sequoia National Park. If convicted, a violator could be fined up to $50,000, be sent to jail for up to one year, or both. Please help spread the word. Fore more information, click the link above.
Highway 180 and Highway 63 are closed due to a growing fire incident. There is currently no access to the parks from the Fresno area. Highway 180 is closed from Cove Road to Dunlap Road. Highway 63 is closed at Orange Cove to the Highway 180 Junction. Park visitors are to be routed through Three Rivers. Click on the link above for more details.
The 560-acre Park Ridge prescribed burn near Grant Grove is scheduled to commence on June 23rd and last up to six days. Visitors to the area on ignition days should expect moderate smoke impacts and intermittent traffic delays. At night, smoke may be discernible in the parks’ lower elevations. A few trails that enter the burn area, including the Park Ridge Trail, will be closed during the burn. Click on the link above for more datails.
With temperatures rising, Cal Fire is increasing the number of staff at the Three Rivers station and is expecting the fire risk to transition to critical levels. With that in mind, the Three Rivers Fire Safe Council and the Tulare County Red Cross are co-hosting a Wildfire Preparedness Event on June 15th from noon to 3pm at the Memorial Building. There will be informational booths and refreshments for sale to support our local schools. Click link above for more details, as well as wildfire preparedness guidance.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks entered stage 1 fire restrictions at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024. Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit wood and charcoal fires, including wood burning stoves, at elevations of 3,000 feet and below. Campground and picnic areas that are affected include Potwisha Campground, and the Hospital Rock and Foothills Picnic Areas. Click on the link above for more details.
Firefighters plan to begin ignitions on the 2024 Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn in the foothills of Sequoia National Park on Sunday, June 2. Two days of ignitions are planned. This project consists of 19 acres of broadcast prescribed burning and an additional 20 acres of non-fire fuels reduction. Smoke impacts are expected to be localized and relatively brief. Click on the link above for more details.