2015 Fire & Smoke Reports

Questions and reports related to Sierra Nevada current and forecast conditions, as well as general precautions and safety information. Trail conditions, fire/smoke reports, mosquito reports, weather and snow conditions, stream crossing information, and more.
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maverick
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Walker Fire Update 8/18

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I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Rough Fire

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Delilah and Park Ridge Lookouts are closed due to the fire.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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astrogerly
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Re: 2015 Fire & Smoke Reports

Post by astrogerly »

Per SEKI update: "8/17 - Smoke conditions have worsened because of the Rough Fire. Wilderness travel is not recommended in the Middle Fork of the Kings river drainage due to severe smoke impacts. In the Bench Lake and LeConte Canyon areas, smoke is not longer dissipating in the mornings and evenings. There are periods of raining ash. The smoke ceiling is approximately 10,000ft and visibility is usually about a half-mile. Conditions are worst in the afternoons, when visibility can be a low as a quarter-mile. Smoke has traveled as far south as Atwell Mill in Mineral King. The Great Western Divide is also seeing significant impacts."

http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/trailcond.htm
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Re: 2015 Fire & Smoke Reports

Post by MountainMinstrel »

I'll doing the High Sierra Trail the first 10 days of September. Any ideas on how this is going to affect that area?
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Re: 2015 Fire & Smoke Reports

Post by Troutdog 59 »

I was at Wishon Res on Monday and the smoke from the Rough fire was dense and quite irritating to the eyes. We only tolerated the smoke for about 2 hours before heading off to find another area. The whole Woodchuck area appeared covered in a thick cloud of smoke. The northern extent of the fire is near Rodgers Ridge adjacent the Geraldine Lakes and SPanish Lakes aeas out of Wishon. We proceeded to drive down to Blackrock Res. with an idea to do some fishing there. The sky was orange as the smoke treied to drown out the sun and we knew the fishing would be limited as we saw several Helicopters (something ski's) using Black Rocj Res. as a rewatring spot as we approced from above. At the Res, we watched several heli's come in and fill up with water. A few minutes later a Fresno County Sheriff (someone I knew as well) pulled up announcing the area was under an evacuation order and to get out. We didnt need any prodding. Got back in the car and headed out. Sure hope it rains soon. The west side is bone dry.
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maverick
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Re: 2015 Fire & Smoke Reports

Post by maverick »

Sure hope it rains soon. The west side is bone dry.
Yeah that would be great, as long as it does not include thunderstorms. All of CA is dry, and we still have the rest of Aug, Sept, and Oct (Santa Anna winds) to go before we get out of the fire season. :(
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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NASA Shot of Smoke Blanketing California

Post by maverick »

Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Walker Fire Update 8/19

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Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Rough Fire 8/21 Update

Post by maverick »

Over 39,000 acres, and only 3% contained.
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4456/
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Re: 2015 Fire & Smoke Reports

Post by markskor »

Just a heads up to anyone going out this weekend.
In Mammoth today, awoke to hazy (at best) skies - where yesterday totally blue, today smoke fills the area's sky - visibility, maybe a mile.
Wind from the southwest and driving in tons of ash...sigh. :crybaby:
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