Sequoia National Forest personnel, in coordination with the Sierra National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park, are conducting an extensive burn operation on the north side of Highway 180. On Thursday and Friday, the fire had an adverse effect on air quality in Sequoia National Park and had moderate impacts in some parts of Three Rivers. The ignitions are expected continue while weather and air quality conditions allow.

The ignitions are associated with the Happy Fire, a lightning fire that was discovered on 16 July 2024. After suppression efforts in October, the fire entered monitoring status on 25 October. On 30 October, Sequoia National Forest announced that it was going to commence a “management approach” and plans to ignite up to 7,806 acres of the “2024-Sequoia N.F. Segment” were approved.

The fire, including the current burn area, is almost entirely within the 2015 Rough Fire footprint. The perimeter also overlaps the 2021 Boyden Fire and 2005 Lewis Creek Fire footprints.

According to the Sequoia National Forest 30 October press release, “land managers concluded the Happy Fire will be managed in a manner that will benefit the resources, this includes consideration of the onset of winter-like conditions and the potential for rainfall over the fire area in the coming weeks. This management approach aligns with the Land Management Plan for each respective area. By reintroducing fire into regions where it has been excluded due to previous suppression efforts, land managers aim to address the excessive buildup of ground fuels. Managed fire can help achieve resource objectives and restore and maintain fire as an essential ecological process.”

After ignitions commenced, the Happy Fire grew from a reported 7,168,acres on 31 October, to 9,320 acres yesterday morning, to 10,325 this morning. See the attached map for a depiction of the Happy Fire progression.

The management team is providing daily air quality forecasts. The ignitions are expected to have only a moderate impact on Giant Forest air quality today. To view the current air quality in Three Rivers see Purple Air. For current Giant Forest conditions, check out the Giant Forest Webcam. For a live view of the fire, see the Buck Rock 2 camera.

For more information on the Happy Fire visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-happy, email SM.FS.SequoiaNF@usda.gov, or visit the Sequoia National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/Sequoia.

SOURCES: Aimee Cox, Happy Fire Public Information Officer; Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia Monument Public Affairs Officer; Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System.