2017 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports / Maps

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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BigMan
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Re: 2017 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports / Maps

Post by BigMan »

Anyone been to Emigrant recently?

Last week the ranger told me the smoke wasn't bad there but I'm a bit skeptical given the South Fork and Empire fires.

Thanks.
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maverick
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Pier Fire Sequoia NF 8/29

Post by maverick »

InciWeb:
Fire personnel responded overnight to a wildfire in the Tule River Canyon above Springville. The Pier Fire has burned an estimated 500 acres both north and south of Highway 190 on the Western Divide Ranger District in Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest.
Highway 190 is currently closed between Balch Park turnoff above Springville, and Fox road along the Western Divide Highway below Ponderosa. Several communities near Camp Nelson are in the process of being evacuated while fire managers take action to suppress this fire. U.S. Forest Service and Tulare County Fire Department are in unified command at this time.
The following communities are under a mandatory evacuation order: Pierpoint Springs, Wishon, Doyle Springs, Alpine, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. Ponderosa remains under a voluntary evacuation advisory. All residents who are evacuating are advised to use east bound Highway 190 to the Western Divide Highway.
Evacuation Center: Porterville College at the Student Conference Center, located at 100 East College Avenue in Porterville.
An Incident Command Team has been ordered. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For more information, please call 559-539-2607 ext. 2292
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5548/
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Railroad Fire 8/29 SNF

Post by maverick »

Another one just south of Yosemite near Fish Camp. :(

InciWeb:
The Railroad Fire started August 29, 2017 at approximately 1300 hrs. West of Highway 41, near the community of Sugar Pine, South of Yosemite National Park and Fish Camp.

It is a vegetation fire burning on the Sierra NF. The fire is burning in steep terrain, with difficult access and heavy fuel loading. Potential for this fire is high.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the community of Sugar Pine and Sugar Pine Camp with an evacuation advisory for the community of Fish Camp.

There are 100 structures threatened.

Highway 41 is in a hard closure from Westphal to the South entrance to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite visitors are to use Highway 49 and Highway 140 for entrance to the National Park.

Presently the fire has consumed approximately 200 acres and is 0% contained, cause of the fire is under investigation.


Resources on this fire consist of 15 Fire Engines, 4 Hand Crews, 3 Helicopters, 10 Air Tankers

Total Personnel: 200

Assisting Agencies: CAL FIRE, Madera County Sheriffs Office and Madera County Fire.

Additional resources are on order.

Tomorrow at approximately 1000hrs a Type 2 Incident Command Team (IMT), will take over the incident command from the Sierra NF.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5553/
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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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Pier Fire Sequoia NF 8/30

Post by maverick »

Fire grew 4155 acres, overnight! :eek:


InciWeb:
The Pier Fire, located in the Tule River Canyon above Springville grew overnight to an estimated 4655 acres. No structures have been damaged, the fires perimeter was a mile or more away from the nearest structure as of 6 a.m. this morning.

Most of the growth overnight was south of the highway towards Black Mountain and the Tule River Indian Reservation. The fire is nearing the Black Mountain Grove of giant sequoias near Solo Peak. Access into this part of the fire is extremely difficult with few roads, heavy fuels, and steep slopes.

Air support may be limited again today due to smoke lingering in the Tule River Canyon. Air Tankers and helicopters are assigned and will be used as conditions allow to support ground personnel. Engines have been assigned to areas that were evacuated for structure protection. The Pier Fire burned both north and south of Highway 190 on the Western Divide Ranger District in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest.

Highway 190 is currently closed between Balch Park turnoff above Springville, and Fox Road along the Western Divide Highway below Ponderosa. Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest (CALFIRE) and Balch Park (Tulare County) are closed until the fire is brought under control.

The following communities are under a mandatory evacuation order: Pierpoint Springs, Wishon, Doyle Springs, Alpine, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. Ponderosa remains under a voluntary evacuation advisory. All residents who are evacuating are advised to use east bound Highway 190 to the Western Divide Highway.

Evacuation Center: Porterville College at the Student Conference Center, located at 100 East College Avenue in Porterville. For information call 1-800 REDCROSS

U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Tulare County Fire Department are in unified command at this time. An Incident Command Team is expected to arrive today and will assume command as of 6 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For more information, please call 559-539-2607 ext. 2292 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5548/
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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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Summit Complex Fires 8/30

Post by maverick »

Stanislaus NF:
The Summit Complex consists of 3 fires burning on the Summit Ranger District. The Douglas Fire (181 acres) is located South of the Douglas Picnic Area and Eureka Valley Campground on Hwy 108. The McCormick Fire (965 acres) is located North of forest road 6N06 and Fence Creek Campground. The Willow Fire (6 acres) is located West of Groundhog Meadow and 4N12 in the Hammill Canyon Loop.
Total acreage: 1,152

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5546/
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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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Slinkard Fire 8/30

Post by maverick »

Mono County:
The Slinkard Fire, located in the Slinkard Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California continues to grow today influenced by wind.

The fire has crossed Hwy 89 and is moving east towards Topaz. Hwy 395 is closed and Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. Fire crews are putting in dozer line along the eastern edge of Topaz and numerous engines are in place for structure protection.

The fire is estimated to be 1,500 acres with 0% containment. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 82 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line.

Unsettled weather will remain a concern for today, with thunderstorm activity and winds in the forecast.

A Type 3 Team has been ordered and is en route. A Type 1 Team is being ordered. This appears to be a lightning-caused fire.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5559/
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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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South Fork Fire Update 8/30

Post by maverick »

Fire is 44% contained.
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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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Slinkard Fire 8/31 Update

Post by maverick »

Inyo NF:
The Slinkard Fire is estimated to be 5,000 acres with 0% containment this morning. The fire has burned to Hwy 395 and crossed Hwy 89 to the north.

Last night, fire crews focused on the eastern flank of the fire along Hwy 395 and engine crews were dedicated to structure protection in northern Topaz. There are no injuries and no structures lost at this time. Power is out in the immediate area.

The Sierra Front 2 (Type 3) Incident Management Team took command of the incident last night. Today, fire crews will continue to focus on protecting structures and infrastructure near and in Topaz and along the Hwy 395 corridor, re-establishing anchor points on the fire, and constructing fire line for perimeter control.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open with highway patrol escort when safe. A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open.

Numerous resources are ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, and air attack and lead plane, two single engine air tankers, a heavy air tanker and two super scoopers.

The fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

There are two hand crews, 30 engines, three helicopters, four water tenders, 1 dozer and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is en route. This is a lightning-caused fire.

Cooperators include the Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, East Fork Fire Protection District, Cal OES, CAL FIRE, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, CalTrans and Nevada DOT.
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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Summit Complex Fires 8/31 Voluntary Evacuations

Post by maverick »

Stanislaus NF:
The US Forest Service in conjunction with the Tuolumne County Sherriff’s Department is issuing a voluntary evacuation for the following area of the Summit Complex - McCormick Fire:

Clark Fork Road

Clark Fork Campground and horse camp

Sand Flat Campground

Camp Liahona

Camp Peaceful Pines

All trail systems in the area (Arnot Creek, Disaster Peak, Clark Fork)

This is a VOLUNTARY evacuation only at this time for the safety of the firefighters and public in the area, due to increased fire behavior experienced today.

In addition, the Fence Creek Road location was closed yesterday.
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: 2017 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports / Maps

Post by SirBC »

I just got back from a quick Ediza Lake trip (8/30-9/1). Wednesday the smoke was fairly heavy from early morning until dark. In the late evening I could even see the occasional tiny piece of ash falling. It cleared up and Thursday and today were much better.

FYI, 395 from Bridgeport to the Nevada border was closed. I did not have good road karma this trip.
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