The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area including Three Rivers. It is currently in effect until noon Friday. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any use of incendiary devices will greatly increase the risk of quick-starting, fast-spreading grass fires under what are typically low to moderate wind speeds. This is because of an abnormal amount of herbaceous fuels.
Category: public safety
On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, CAL FIRE’s Defensible Space Inspectors and engine personnel will be visiting homes in the Silver City area on the Mineral King Road to conduct Defensible Space inspections. If you are driving to Mineral King for a holiday adventure, please watch for fire vehicles and personnel.
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.
Road paving is expected to take place on the Mineral King Road from 6/25 through 6/28. Paving will require temporary closures Tuesday, 6/25 through Friday 6/28. Road paving is also scheduled on site 20 on the Generals Highway on Monday, 6/24. Click the link above for a more detailed schedule. Also, please help us urge visitors to stay out and away from the river if they plan to come up to the parks. As you know, this week we had another tragic river incident.
Around 2 p.m. Friday, the body of a Tulare teen who fell into the Kaweah River and has been missing since Wednesday was recovered. The 17-year-old’s body was found about 1 1/2 miles from the area where she first went into the water. Click for more details and guidance on river safety.
Due to the recent power outage and extreme heat, Tulare County will be distributing water from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Three Rivers Memorial Building at 43490 Sierra Drive. The building will be open to those who are still without power and need a place to cool down until 7:00 p.m. Note that the Three Rivers Branch Library is also a cooling center.
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.
In the past week alone, two swift water rescues have already occurred at the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Park officials stress the importance of staying away from rivers, which pose significant risks, specifically due to swift water and slick granite rocks. Click the link above for details and guidance.
An excessive heat watch in effect from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. Dangerously hot conditions are expected, with daytime temperatures currently expected to reach up to 106 degrees in Three Rivers. The Three Rivers Branch Library is our local cooling center. Click the link above for more information.
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.
This program provides financing to repair income-eligible and owner-occupied homes needing essential health and/or safety repairs. This program is specifically for properties located in the unincorporated areas of Tulare County. Homeowners must have homeowners’ insurance and current property taxes. Provides grant not to exceed $30,000.