2018 Fire and Smoke Impact 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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NF Closure Due To Boot Fire 9/8

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USFS:
Due to the Boot Fire, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has issued a closure order within and around the burned area on the Bridgeport Ranger District. The closure, which goes into effect today, closes areas to the public that are not safe to enter because of firefighter suppression operations.

The Public is advised to avoid National Forest System lands north of California State Route 108 from Sonora Bridge to the Junction of U.S. Route 395, north of Route 395 from Sonora Junction and Pimental Meadows, west of Swauger Creek due north to the junction of Forest Roads 067 and 089, from that junction due west to the junction of Burcham Flat Road/Forest Road 031 at the Forest Boundary, east of Mill Canyon Road due south to the junction Terry Canyon Road. From that junction, the closure includes Mill Canyon Road (Forest Road 042) and NFS lands to the east to Route 395. The closure continues due south on Forest Road 023 to Sonora Bridge. See the attached map for exact boundaries.

U.S. Route 395 and California State Route 108 have reopened to all traffic, however firefighters and road construction crews continue their work within the Walker River Canyon. If driving through the canyon, please go slowly, use caution, and follow the guidance of pilot cars and flaggers.

The closure will remain in effect until the Forest Service determines the area that is closed is safe for the public. The agency will continue to revisit the closure with the Boot Fire’s Incident Management Team on a daily basis to see if sections of the closed area can be reopened. People who are found guilty of violating this closure order could receive a maximum fine of $5,000 or six months in jail or both.

The signed closure order is posted on the Forest’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts-notices. For information on the Boot Fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6190/.
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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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Boot Fire Update 9/8

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InciWeb:
Caltrans reopened US-395 and SR-108 Friday, September 7th at 8:00 p.m. While most rocks and tree hazards from the roadways were removed, firefighters are asking drivers to proceed with extreme caution through Walker River Canyon and along SR-108. The Boot Fire is still active and additional debris may roll onto the roadway. Firefighters, trucks and equipment from various agencies are still present, and construction crews are working in the area this weekend. Caltrans is advising the public to slow down through work zones. The safety of Caltrans crews, firefighters and other responding agencies is very important. Inattentiveness on the road can have tragic consequences.

Fire activity moderated yesterday with little fire growth occurring. More than 570 firefighters and numerous helicopters are making headway containing the 6,873-acre fire that is now 3% contained. While much of the fire area is burning in high elevation areas where aspen and mahogany trees are holding heat, firefighters are taking advantage of lower elevation terrain, grass and brush to contain much of the fire perimeter.

While today will be another windy day that holds the potential to blow the fire to the northeast, the Boot Fire is well equipped with air and ground resources working hard to construct handlines along the timbered western flanks.
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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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Boot Fire Update 9/9

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InciWeb:
Evacuations: The Mono County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation notices for residents and structures in the Fales Hot Springs, Devil’s Gate Pass and Swauger Creek areas Saturday evening, September 8. Residents need to remain aware of firefighters and equipment accessing the fire area and stay prepared to leave if conditions change. Leavitt Meadows Campground, Leavitt Meadows Pack Station and Sonora Bridge Campground are also OPEN. Campgrounds and day use areas within for Forest Area Closure remain CLOSED. These include Shingle Mill, Chris Flat, and Bootleg Campgrounds.

The evacuated Marines from the Mountain Warfare Training Center will return to base Monday, September 10; however, the Marines currently assisting the Incident Management Team will continue their work providing critical information and airfield support.

Forest Closure: To protect and ensure firefighter and public safety, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest issued a closure order within and around the Boot Fire burned area September 8th. The public should avoid National Forest System lands north of California State Route 108 from Sonora Bridge to the Junction of U.S. Route 395; north of Route 395 from Sonora Junction and Pimental Meadows, west of Swauger Creek due north to the junction of Forest Roads 067 and 089; from that junction due west to the junction of Burcham Flat Road/Forest Road 031 at the Forest Boundary, east of Mill Canyon Road due south to the junction Terry Canyon Road. From that junction, the closure includes Mill Canyon Road (Forest Road 042) and NFS lands to the east to Route 395. The closure continues due south on Forest Road 023 to Sonora Bridge. See the Closure Order and map, posted on the Forest’s website for details https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts-notices.

Summary: The fire grew an additional 25 acres yesterday. Containment increased 36% yesterday, bringing the current contained fire perimeter area to 39%.
The focus of suppression efforts are shifting to the northern and western fire flanks as the southern and eastern flanks become contained.

Weather: Another pretty day over Sonora Pass is on tap for Sunday. Ridgetop winds will be calmer today, peaking to 20 mph. This declining threat will make it harder for spot fires to establish. Warm and dry conditions will prevail however, allowing smoke from burning interior islands and other active fire areas to be visible, especially in the afternoons. Air quality reports are online at: https://www.gbuapcd.org/cgi-bin/fireViewer?recID=42.

Today: Along the high elevation western flank, helicopters are delivering pumps, hoses and other water-y:handling supplies into ridgetop helispots. This will assist firefighters with installing an extensive network of hoses they will use to extinguish heat that is smoldering and occasionally torching in the thick understory.
Firefighters are working in the heavily timbered, inaccessible north and western flanks extinguishing heat to ensure there the fire does not reignite and threaten the Sweetwater Mountain Range. This work will take several days.

On the south and eastern flanks, firefighters are carefully looking for hot spots 100 feet within the fire perimeter.
Saturday, this group of firefighters also assisted in putting out a tree hit by lightning. The fire grew to a 1/10 acre in Pickel Meadow before it was declared out that night. They will again be ready to respond to new fire starts if any occur.

Evacuations/Road Closures:
There are no mandatory evacuation notices. The Burcham Flat Road (FS 031) remains closed to all non-fire traffic.
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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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Lost Fire 10/18

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Inyo NF:
The Lost Fire, located west of the Reds Meadow Valley in the John Muir Wilderness, is 50 acres and 0% contained. The fire’s growth is predominately to the west.

Fire crews are making good progress constructing fireline to contain the fire, although they are working in steep terrain and areas with heavy fuels. Crews have completed fireline along the eastern flank, which remains the area of focus to protect developed areas in the Reds Meadow Valley. Crews are scouting and completing initial containments lines along the other flanks, looking to construct direct fireline along the fire’s edge.

The fire is burning within the perimeter of the 1992 Rainbow Fire, with some of the western growth pushing out of that perimeter. The fire is showing slow to moderate growth and is consuming dead and down fuels. It is burning in brush and mixed conifer forest. The sun-exposed areas within the Rainbow Fire perimeter are allowing the fuels to dry. However, the cold, shorter days are moderating fire activity.

There is currently no threat to life or property. There are no closures at this time, including nearby trails. Smoke is visible from Mammoth Mountain (including from their summit webcam). Smoke may be visible in Mammoth Lakes and June Lake. Smoke is settling into the valleys west of the fire at night. Hikers in the area may also see smoke in the distance from the Dinkey South Prescribed Fire being conducted on the Sierra National Forest.

The Inyo Hotshots, Crane Valley Hotshots, Inyo’s Crew 2, and Helicopter 525 are assigned to the fire, which is a lightning-caused from the storm system that passed through the area on October 2.
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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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Eden Fire Update 11/14

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SEKI NP:
The Eden Fire continues to grow and is now 343 acres as mapped via the parks’ helicopter. Fire has slowed its progress in the Eden Creek drainage on the western edge of the fire. Fire however has established itself on the east side of the eastern branch of Eden Creek drainage. One spot fire was observed on the east flank approximately 200 feet off the main fire and burning actively. Fire does not appear to be moving up-slope (south) towards Homers Nose.

Continued positive fire behavior is occurring with consumption of brush and downed logs. Some standing dead trees, called snags, may have been the source of some spotting. Numerous snags are present in the area from tree mortality and the lack of modern fire history. The parks will continue to monitor the fire via helicopter while scouting for natural barriers along the rocky ridge (Homer's Nose) to the south. Additionally the parks will actively track any new growth downhill toward the Kaweah drainage.

Smoke is visible from the western side of Sequoia National Park. Most of it is coming from a trio of fires in Sequoia National Forest with some smoke contribution from the Eden Fire. Other smoke in the area is from the larger fires currently burning in California. For more information on non-NPS fires, visits www.inciweb.nwcg.gov or www.fire.ca.gov.

“The parks take air quality concerns very seriously,” said Sequoia National Park Fire Management Officer Kelly Singer. “However, as this fire burns in designated wilderness, taking valuable firefighting resources away from the larger more dangerous fires in California to suppress this ecologically beneficial fire would be a mistake.”

There is a low pressure trough that's forecasted to come in the middle of next week, possibly Wednesday or Thursday. It may or may not have precipitation but it will help in clearing out the air. If you are sensitive to smoke please refer to one of the following links for recommendations on reducing your exposure to fine particulates. http://www.valleyair.org/aqinfo/aqdataidx.htm or https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution

Another thing to keep in mind is that in addition to the smoke from wildland fires, daily activities in the valley (vehicles, agricultural activities, industry) are also contributing to these particulates that are trapped in this region. It's an unfortunate meteorological condition during some extreme fire events that we're experiencing.

All areas of Sequoia National Park remain open as previously scheduled. Additionally, there are no impacts to any of the normal operations in the Mineral King section of Sequoia National Park.
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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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SEKI Fires Update 11/21

Post by maverick »

SEKI NP:
Started by lightning on October 4th and burning in the John Krebs Wilderness, the Eden Fire area is now 1,430 acres with 5% containment. An infrared flight took place Tuesday night and allowed more accurate mapping as the area was shrouded in smoke the past few days. Due to its location, there are currently no threats to life, property, or other assets.

Located in and adjacent to the Eden Creek Grove of giant sequoias, the terrain is steep and rugged with no access via the ground. Yesterday’s daytime flight observed positive fire effects with no spotting or crown scorch. The fire is working its way through an area that has no modern recorded fire history except for a couple of pockets around twenty acres each.

Currently, the west flank has established itself over the Eden Creek drainage and is slowly backing off the ridge towards Coffeepot Canyon. The south side is not showing any strong behavior as it moves towards the ridge line and Homer's nose. The fire has slowed its progress to the north towards the East Fork of the Kaweah but has grown towards the east further into the wilderness.

Fire managers are closely watching the storm system that is expected to arrive today. Precipitation in the form of rain and / or snow will fall over the fire with up to an inch of water equivalent expected. With these changes in the weather, smoke dispersion will improve over the next few days. A dry period is expected before the next storm system arrives mid to late next week.

“Gathering information via aircraft is a safe and efficient way to manage this fire,” said Andrew Cremers, incident commander for the Eden Fire. “At the same time, we constantly look at our options in that other types of aircraft could be used to slow the fire’s spread in certain areas with targeted water drops or retardant lines, especially if we are getting undesired fire effects.”

Additionally the Dennison Fire, located east of the Dillonwood Grove at over 8,000 feet in elevation south of the Eden Fire, and also started by lightning is now 87 acres. It too is burning in a remote area of Sequoia National Park and is showing no threats to life or property.

The National Park Service looks for opportunities to not manipulate a natural process. Taking a strategy of not fully suppressing every fire, not only greatly reduces impacts on designated wilderness, but allows for a modern fire history that can help buffer the park and the community from unwanted fire during the hottest and driest parts of the year.

All areas of Sequoia National Park remain open as previously scheduled. Pictures, videos, and maps of the Eden Fire, please visit the official website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6248/
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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