Monday Morning Update on Coffeepot Fire

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

The Coffeepot Fire Has Grown To 869 Acres

Case Mountain Trails and South Fork Trailhead Closures

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, the fire continued to move down the slope in steep, rugged terrain. On the south flank, the fire moved about two-tenths of a mile and reached Bennett Creek and the Surprise Grove of Giant Sequoia. The fire is backing slowly through the grove and is being monitored by resource advisors. On the west flank, the fire only progressed about one-tenth of a mile.   

Today, the priority continues to be building new indirect control lines on the south and west flanks around the fire’s perimeter. On the west flank, hand crews are constructing an indirect control line from South Fork Drive to the north. On the south flank, they are constructing an indirect control line from Salt Creek Ridge to South Fork Drive, approximately one mile from the park boundary. The control lines are being constructed to keep the fire away from the community of Three Rivers. On the east flank of the fire, firefighters are looking at opportunities to create indirect handlines along the Lady Bug Trail. Firefighters can request water-dropping helicopters to cool any hot spots in the area.

WEATHER: Temperatures will rebound to near normal to slightly above through Wednesday, then cool Thursday through Saturday. The probability of thunderstorms remains near zero for the upcoming week. Winds will mainly be light with good overnight humidity recovery.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Smoke impacts are expected at night and in the morning, especially in the Mineral King and Giant Forest areas. You can check how wildfire smoke impacts your area at airnow.gov.

ROAD AND TRAIL IMPACTS: Highway 198 and the Generals Highway in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open. The Mineral King Road is also open. Park Superintendent Clay Jordan requests that visitors use caution while driving in the area to ensure the safety of firefighters working in the area.

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: Portions of the South Fork Area in Sequoia and Kings National Parks are closed. You may view the closure information at https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm.

The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area.

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