Thursday Morning Update on Coffeepot Fire

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

The Coffeepot Fire Has Grown To 2231 Acres

Crews Will Continue to Work on Control Lines and Sequoia Grove Protection

CURRENT SITUATION: The Coffee Pot Fire continues to gradually spread and advance in all directions. During the last few days, low to moderate fire behavior has allowed fire crews and bulldozers to make significant progress in constructing indirect control lines along the west and south flanks. Water-dropping planes and helicopters have supported these efforts by reducing the fire’s intensity, particularly on the western flank. Fire activity is expected to slow leading into the weekend as temperatures cool and humidity increases. Any new fire growth will likely be limited to areas with easily combustible vegetation such as dead branches, leaves, and needles.

Today, firefighters will continue working along Salt Creek Road clearing brush to strengthen the indirect control lines on the west and south flank. Additionally, crews will focus on protecting the giant sequoia groves adjacent to Case Mountain by removing vegetation to reduce fire intensity. Six hotshot crews are working alongside other crews to secure ridges and roads that have been identified as control features. In the coming days, firefighters will concentrate on clearing vegetation along Cinnamon Gap and Mineral King Roads.

WEATHER: Today’s temperatures should be much cooler than yesterday. This trend will continue later this week as an unseasonably cool system approaches bringing higher humidity and overnight recovery. Warmer temperatures and lower humidity will likely return early next week.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Air quality will likely become increasingly worse near Three Rivers, CA, as we approach the weekend. A cold front will bring in clouds that will help trap smoke closer to the surface. Everyone should take precautions to reduce outdoor activities, especially those sensitive to smoke. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

HIGHWAY AND ROAD IMPACTS: Highway 198, Mineral King Road, and Generals Highway in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open. Due to heavy equipment and personnel working on Mineral King Road expect 30-minute delays, so please plan accordingly. Visitors should exercise caution, stay alert, and drive slowly.

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive in Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed until further notice. You can view all Park closure information online at nps.gov/seki . The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.

EVACUATION WARNING: An Evacuation WARNING has been issued for TLC Zones TLC-E128-B and TLC-E094-B, area north of South Fork Drive, East of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek Fire Control Road), South of Mineral King Road, and West of the National Park Boundary. An evacuation WARNING means you should prepare to evacuate the area should the fire approach your home or if ordered to do so. Please stay clear and out of the areas affected by the fire. If there is an emergency, please dial 911. tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies

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