2016 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports / Maps

[ERIC]

FB message from member rayfound:

"Fire horseshoe meadows. Evacuating all campers and hikers. I'm driving and can't post. Apparently started at top, running down."

[maverick]

Mammoth Times:

A new fire is reported along the Horseshoe Meadows Road south and east of Lone Pine, according to the Inyo National Forest. "Fire responders from numerous agencies are responding to a fire reported along the Horseshoe Meadows Rd. It is reported to be 10 acres or so in size," according to a news release on Aug. 9. "There is a mandatory evacuation of Horseshoe Meadows Campgrounds (Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass and the Equestrian Camp) – hikers and campers will be escorted out. There is also a hard closure of Lubkin Canyon Road and Horseshoe Meadows Road. Responding agencies include Inyo National Forest, Inyo Sheriff’s Office, Lone Pine Fire, CalFIRE, BLM, and CHP.

[maverick]

USFS:

Horseshoe Fire Grows to 110 Acres

The Horseshoe Fire started yesterday afternoon towards the top of the Horseshoe Meadow Road, just east of the developed recreation campgrounds, near Last Chance Meadow. It is estimated to be 110 acres and 10% contained.

The fire grew rapidly, driven by terrain, wind, and dry conditions. However, the fire behavior moderated last night and crews were able to begin line construction around the fire. The warm, dry conditions and afternoon winds will be a concern for today.

The fire is burning at 9,000 feet in elevation in mountain mahogany, lodgepole pine, and sage.

The developments of the Horseshoe Meadows area are threatened by the fire. There is a mandatory evacuation of Horseshoe Meadows Campgrounds (Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, the Horseshoe Equestrian Camp, and Thatcher Camp) – hikers and campers will be escorted out. The Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lakes Trailheads are closed and the forest has suspended issuing permits for the popular trailheads at this time. There is also a hard closure of Lubkin Canyon Road and Horseshoe Meadows Road.

Responding agencies include Inyo National Forest, Inyo Sheriff’s Office, Lone Pine Fire, Bishop Fire, Independence, CalFire, BLM, CHP, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

There are numerous hand crews, engines, air tankers, helicopters, air attack and lead planes assigned to the incident. There are approximately 100 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

[maverick]

NFS:

The Horseshoe Fire started on August 9, 2016 towards the top of Horseshoe Meadow Road. It is estimated to be 400 acres and 30% contained.

Cool weather and high relative humidity allowed firefighters to make good progress on fireline construction overnight. Today, firefighters will strengthen and improve firelines, patrol and mop up further into the interior of the fire.

A mandatory evacuation of Horseshoe Meadows Campgrounds (Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, the Horseshoe Equestrian Camp and Golden Trout Camp) remains in effect until further notice. Due to the narrow, winding road and heavy fire equipment traffic, hikers returning to their vehicles, will be escorted out.

The Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lakes Trailheads are closed and the forest has suspended issuing permits for the popular trailheads at this time. There is also a hard closure of Lubkin Canyon Road and Horseshoe Meadows Road.

Responding agencies include Inyo National Forest, Inyo Sheriff’s Office, Lone Pine Fire, Bishop Fire, Independence, CalFire, BLM, CHP, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Firefighting resources include: 6 hand crews, 16 engines, 2 air tankers, 5 helicopters, 2 water tenders, air attack and lead plane. There are approximately 266 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be human cause

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4943/

[maverick]

Limited Entrance for Horseshoe Meadows
Fire personnel with the Horseshoe Fire will be allowing limited entrance to Horseshoe Meadows for those people who have a demonstrated need to be in the area. This would include people that need to retrieve their vehicle from trailhead parking, people who were unable to collect their personal camping equipment during the evacuation, those picking up hikers with stock, or those who have stock in the area that need care.

Traffic control will be provided on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon. People will need to check in and check out with security at the gate at Lubkin Canyon Road at which point ten vehicles will be allowed in at a time for safety management. Law enforcement officers will be present to implement the plan. All visitors must be checked back out by noon (therefore, it is highly advised that people plan to be at the gate at 9:00 am and by 10:00 am at the latest).

The road remains closed to other business. No one will be allowed to spend the night in Horseshoe Meadows Campground and the trailheads out of Horseshoe Meadows remain closed.

There are still fire crews working along this narrow road and people should anticipate delays and one-lane traffic. Please honor the spirit of this entrance for those who need to get into Horseshoe Meadows. Your cooperation will help assist in getting the road fully re-opened as soon as possible.

Horseshoe Fire Now Mapped at 362 acres

The Horseshoe Fire is estimated to be 362 acres and 50% contained. The fire started August 9, 2016 in the afternoon towards the top of the Horseshoe Meadow Road, just east of the developed recreation campgrounds, near Last Chance Meadow.

Last night, the fire continued to burn out fuels within the containment lines.

The fire is burning at 9,000 feet in elevation in mountain mahogany, lodgepole pine, and sage.

A mandatory evacuation of Horseshoe Meadows Campgrounds (Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, the Horseshoe Equestrian Camp and Golden Trout Camp) remains in effect until further notice. Hikers and campers returning from the wilderness will be escorted out.

The Cottonwood Pass, Cottonwood Lakes, and Trail Pass Trailheads are closed and the forest has suspended issuing permits for the popular trailheads at this time. There is also a hard closure of Lubkin Canyon Road and Horseshoe Meadows Road.

Responding agencies include Inyo National Forest, Inyo Sheriff’s Office, Lone Pine Fire, Bishop Fire, Independence, CalFire, BLM, CHP, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Fighting the fire include: 9 hand crews, 16 engines, 2 air tankers, 5 helicopters, 2 water tenders, air attack and lead planes assigned to the incident. There are approximately 249 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be human caused.

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4943/

[maverick]

The Horseshoe Fire is estimated to be 369 acres and 95% contained. The fire started August 9, 2016 in the afternoon towards the top of the Horseshoe Meadow Road, just east of the developed recreation campgrounds, near Last Chance Meadow.

The Horseshoe Meadow Road up to Horseshoe Meadow. All campgrounds and trails have also re-opened.

Crews will still be working in the fire area and visitors are asked to please be aware of emergency equipment when travelling on that road. Slow down for your safety as well as the safety of fire crews working in the area.

The fire continues to burn out fuels within the containment lines

The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be human caused.

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4943/

[rayfound]

That's good news. When I drove past on Saturday (14th) I didn't really see any smoke or anything from the highway, figured they must be mopping up. Did see a helo land in Lone Pine I assumed was working the fire.

[robow8]

Not in the Sierra, but it is along the PCT near Wrightwood.

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4962/

[SSSdave]

All these California August wildfires once again as has been the case for much of the last decade, has made for disgusting air clarity across much of the Sierra Nevada. The smoke map (see Maverick's link) for several weeks now has left the central and southern Sierra consistently under smoke although at times it is just at higher altitudes. During my early August week long trip, the Owens and San Joaquin Valleys stayed murky brown the whole time. However was able to capture many good images during mornings when cold clear air draws down and pushes the smoky air back into the valleys till afternoons. For a photographer that killed any chances of decent dawn and dusk skies as once the sun dips down into the brown haze layer, warm light immediately dims.

I have a reservation for Treasure Lakes starting Wednesday Aug 31 thru Monday Sep 5 that starting Thursday will get me over into Dusy Basin to base camp the rest of that holiday period. However won't pull the trigger on actually going unless some of these fires quench and smoke clears up some. The long range 10-14 day CPC forecasts does show some troughiness moving further south from the northwest over that period that could usher in some t-storms and clearer air.

[Hobbes]

The Blue Cut fire @ El Cajon pass was completely out of control Tues/Wed. The smoke column was clearly visible from OC. Actually, it looked like a huge volcano had erupted near Mt Baldy.

Dave, my final trip the last few years has been the July HST meet-up. Aug is usually hot, crowded and smokey. Over the years, I have been caught in a handful of fires. This includes Canada, Washington, Tahoe, high Sierra and Malibu. The Malibu fire was a classic Santa Ana - we had to load everything in a car and evacuate our house.

Late spring is my favorite time in the mountains. Muddy, yeah, and maybe snowy & icy too, but the days are long & the crowds small. The West has always had huge summer wild fires - the last 10 years have been pretty typical: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_w ... th_America

If you don't go on your Dusy trip, you might want to check out Mendocino and/or other locals north. Late summer/early fall is when NorCal beaches/coastal mountains put on a show.