South Fork Area Closure
Road Within Park and Trailhead Closed
From Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks:
The portion of South Fork Road in Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road are closed until further notice due to the proximity of the Coffeepot Fire. The text of the order follows the image below.
Administrative Order 24-005
(https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm)
Closure Order – Portion of a Park Area: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following park area administered by the National Park Service within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is closed to public access, effective at 0100 hours on August 18, 2024, until rescinded:
- From the intersection of the East Fork of the Kaweah River with the West Boundary of the park to the junction with the East Fork and Horse Creek; to the junction of Horse Creek and Whitman Creek; to the hill elevation 9307 WNW of Summit Meadow; to the northwestern corner of the Dillonwood Expansion; along the park boundary to the point of beginning.
- Authority: 36 CFR 1.5(a)(1)
Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, except:
- Employees of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks assigned to the Coffee Pot Fire
- Personnel with research interests within the prescribed fire units with approval from the Incident Commander
- Other individuals authorized by the Chief Ranger or their designee.
Finding:
The Coffee Pot wildfire began on August 3, 2024, and was initially suppressed. During the ensuing days, a snag broke and rolled downhill, creating a larger fire. On August 11, several fire crews and aircraft were dedicated to extinguishing the fire, however, it resisted control. On August 17, 2024, a Complex Incident Management Team was briefed and set to take control of the fire the following morning.
Due to the spread of the fire, in order to reduce risk for visitors from fire, aircraft, falling hazards (water, retardant, snags, etc.) and provide unfettered access for firefighters, it is necessary to exclude the public from these areas. There are no experiences of significant value that cannot be obtained by visitors elsewhere in the parks.
This order is effective at 0100 hours on August 18, 2024, and will remain in effect until rescinded. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the order will be modified or rescinded when conditions warrant.