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.
Category: fires
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.
In preparation for the start of the 2024 Wildland Fire Season, the Tulare County Fire Department in conjunction with Cal-Fire Tulare Unit will be hosting a wildfire preparedness exercise in the community of Three Rivers and near the community of Woodlake on May 30th and 31st. Multiple fire engines, crews, and smoke are expected. Click the link above for more information, including locations.
The Bureau of Land Management has purportedly resumed burning piles on Case Mountain. In the near term, they plan to burn about 25 acres of vegetation piles. Smoke may be visible from many locations in Three Rivers. Smoke impacts are expected to be negligible.