This morning the Coffeepot Fire is at 621 acres. As of 7:00 a.m., California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 and CALFIRE, Tulare Unit have taken command of the Coffee Pot Fire. The fire is a full-suppression fire burning on lands managed by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the Bureau of Land Management. A public meeting about the Coffee Pot Fire will be held tonight, August 18, at 6:00 p.m in the Memorial Building. Click the link above for more details.

On August 16th, the Coffeepot Fire grew to 228 acres. This growth was expected, even as full suppression efforts continue. Should fire conditions change in a way that warrants evacuation advisories, the park will get that message out immediately. Park personnel are working closely with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Services should this need arise in the days or weeks ahead, but this is not foreseen at this time. A larger Complex Incident Management Team is arriving August 17. The park will provide some more detailed information about this fire and how we’ve gotten to this point during an upcoming public meeting. Click the link above for more details.

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.

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. 

As the 4th of July holiday weekend approaches, we anticipate a significant increase in visitation to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. SEKI kindly requests our assistance in sharing some important tips with guests staying at our establishments or stopping by our businesses to assist them in having an enjoyable visit to the parks. Click the link for details. NOTE: This information is equally applicable to any of us planning to enter the park over the next several days!

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.