High Sierra Topix

Just talked to Snow Nymph; she was at Big Pine and said that they are escorting cars south along 395. Previously, the stretch of 395 between Lone Pine and Big Pine had been closed due to the fires, one of which crossed the highway north of Independence.

Well it is three in the morning as I write this; just returned from a hiking trip that never happened because of the road closure at Lone Pine. The CHP there told us that the road would remain closed until "sometime after sunrise". As I found out a few minutes ago, the road opened at 1:44.

My friend and I just drove eleven hours to no where.

In any event, I hope the fire crews get a handle on the fire before it causes too much damage, it looked to be quite an inferno in the night sky.

Here is a link to what is happening in CA. Local fire in my area also the Antelope Complex. http://inciweb.org/state/5/

No containment down south there yet. 12,000 acres already, 8 hours ago.

395 open with no restrictions as of 0411 this morning, 7/7.

I saw a ton of smoke in the east (from Lemoore) last evening. I figured there was a fire on the western slope but with 12000 acres, I'm guessing it was this fire.

PS...thanks for the link, it is better then the links I searched for last night

395 again closed this afternoon at Independence - if the town fills up they may move the closure down to Lone Pine - the winds have flared things back up this afternoon. hope Snow & Trailtrekker make it through ok tomorrow.

picts taken from Portal Road:




looks like the fire will miss downtown Independence - but west and north - who knows

I just heard from my sister and she said they are currently evacuating the town Independence as well.

we saw mobilization - now the website confirms that they are stopping traffic at the Kern-Inyo county line


edit:
prayers to everyone in Independence for their families, pets, households, belongings. also help for the firefighters - it was already hot without the addition of fire related.

As of 11pm tonight, Independence residents are being allowed back into their homes, but are being told not to unpack. That's at least a little good news. I did hear that the Baxter Pass trailhead area burned (along with 3 cars that were there). I know one of the guys who now has a burnt up car. I don't know when he is coming down from the Sierras. I've heard of two homes that have been burned. It's not confirmed, but they are both off of Oak Creek Road.

Those pictures are amazing. You wouldn't think there was that much to burn out there.