Friday Morning Update on Coffeepot Fire

Posted 4 months ago by A member of the 3RTogether Team

The Coffeepot Fire Has Grown To 2683 Acres

With Cooler Temperatures Fire Activity Expected to Slow

Fire Information: (559) 492-9988
Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Park Information: (559) 565-3341
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

CURRENT SITUATION: As anticipated, the Coffee Pot Fire remains active and continues to grow. Over the past few days, firefighters have made significant progress constructing indirect control lines along the south and west flanks of the fire. With much of that work complete, their focus has shifted to the north and east flanks. The fire has begun transitioning from heavily forested terrain into areas dominated by brush and grass, which will decrease fire behavior.

Today, fire crews will continue preventative work along Mineral King and Cinnamon Gap Roads to prepare those roads as indirect control lines along the north flank of the fire. In addition, firefighters will scout and begin working to contain the fire’s progress in the southeast by connecting indirect control lines with natural barriers like rock outcroppings, streams, and previous burn scars. With cooler temperatures and higher humidity expected this weekend, fire activity should slow, allowing firefighters to more aggressively attack the fire.

Crews continued working in several northwestern giant sequoia groves, clearing timber litter around the base of trees to reduce the intensity of the fire as it backs downhill into the groves. Yesterday, fire managers took proactive measures as the fire started moving into a drainage near Eden Grove. Firefighters began a strategic aerial firing operation to introduce a low-intensity fire on the landscape to moderate the main fire as it burns toward the grove. When it is safe, resource advisors from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will conduct assessments to determine the impacts on the groves

WEATHER: Today’s temperatures will be much cooler as a cold front moves through the area. Humidity and recovery will remain high. No rainfall is expected with the new weather system.

SMOKE IMPACTS: For more information about smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov to view current conditions and smoke outlook.

WEBCAM: The National Park Service hosts a webcam looking southwest viewing the edge of the Giant Forest in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park here: nps.gov/subjects/air/webcams.

HIGHWAY AND ROAD IMPACTS: Highway 198, Mineral King Road, and Generals Highway in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open. Due to heavy equipment and personnel working on Mineral King Road expect 30-minute delays, so please plan accordingly. Visitors should exercise caution, stay alert, and drive slowly.

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive in Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed until further notice. You can view all Park closure information online at nps.gov/seki . The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.

EVACUATION WARNING: An Evacuation WARNING has been issued for TLC Zones TLC-E128-B and TLC-E094-B, area north of South Fork Drive, East of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek Fire Control Road), South of Mineral King Road, and West of the National Park Boundary. An evacuation WARNING means you should prepare to evacuate the area should the fire approach your home or if ordered to do so. Please stay clear and out of the areas affected by the fire. If there is an emergency, please dial 911. tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies

PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.