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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Lions Fire 7/5 Update

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At 4,064 acres, and 73% contained. Estimated containment 7/14.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5850/
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East Creek Fire (SEKI) 7/7

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SEKI NP:
Early this afternoon, a wildfire was reported in the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park by a patrolling trail ranger. Named the East Creek Fire, it is currently ten-acres, and is burning two-thirds of a mile south of the Bubbs Creek Trail and west of the East Creek Trail, about eight and half miles east of Roads End. The greatest growth potential currently exists on the east/southeast side of the fire.

Due to the fire’s wilderness location, it currently poses no threats to life or property. However, fire managers are taking suppression actions to confine the fire. Firefighters are currently identifying natural barriers such as rocky outcroppings to use to contain fire spread. Minimum impact suppression tactics (MIST) are being utilized, so that firefighting operations will disturb the wilderness ecosystem as little as possible.

“Our priorities for this fire are to minimize risks to the public and to our firefighters, and then to minimize impacts to the wilderness,” says Kings Canyon Fire Management Officer John Ziegler.

No trail closures are in place at this time. Trail guards are in place on the East Creek Trail to connect with hikers ascending south in the direction of East Lake and Lake Reflection, and will advise or escort hikers through the section of trail closest to the fire. The cause of fire is under investigation.

For current information, additional updates, and photos on the East Creek Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5904/
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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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Georges Fire 7/9

Post by maverick »

USFS:
The #GeorgesFire has grown to 2,000 acres and is 0% contained. The Inyo National Forest, CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit, and Inyo County Sheriff's Office are in Unified Command for this fire.

Fire growth yesterday was to the north and west, driven by winds. The fire is north of Lone Pine, west of Manzanar National Historic Site, and south of Bairs Creek. Last night, the winds died down, and crews were able to begin initial line construction for the fire.

The forecast today calls for additional lightning activity as well as continued erratic winds and dry conditions. A Type II Team has been ordered and arrives this evening for a briefing.

Numerous crews from the Inyo National Forest, BLM, CALFIRE, and local fire departments are responding. There are nine crews, 20 engines, three dozers, six helicopters, three air tankers and a very large air tanker (VLAT) assigned to the incident and additional resources are ordered and en route.

The Hogback and Whitney Portal Roads are closed to uphill traffic at this time. Additional road closures include the Foothill Road and Moffat Ranch Road as well as any other roads that enter the fire area. There are no evacuations in place at this time. However, campers and residents in the Whitney Portal area have been advised to be prepared for an evacuation. Please avoid the fire area for your safety and for our firefighters’ safety.

Today, the Inyo National Forest is contacting permit holders for the Whitney Portal Trailhead and the Shepherd Pass Trailhead to notify them that they cannot begin their hikes today from these trailheads. The Inyo National Forest is also working with campers who hold reservations at Whitney Portal. The forest will re-evaluate access to these areas on daily basis upon fire behavior.

It has been determined that this is a lightning-caused fire.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5907/
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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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Jimr
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Re: 2018 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports

Post by Jimr »

I saw this fire coming home yesterday. At that time, it was mainly all along the base of the mountain between Bairs and George creeks. Looks like it may have run up canyon.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
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Georges Fire 7/9

Post by maverick »

Inyo Co Sheriff's Dept:
Due to the #GeorgesFire The Sheriff’s Office is in the process of evacuating Whitney Portal campgrounds, and closing Whitney Portal. Road to the Portal is closed
.
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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East Creek Fire Update 7/9

Post by maverick »

SEKI NP:
The East Creek Fire has shown a significant reduction in smoke and fire activity. There are still no trail closures related to this fire. The total acreage of the fire has been reduced from 26 acres to six acres.

During earlier fire activity in this very steep and rugged terrain, it wasn’t safe for firefighters to attempt a more precise perimeter measurement of the fire’s edge. Fire was moving through a dense red fir stand with no recorded fire history, adjacent to a swift cold creek, with alternative paths only being smoothly polished rock.

“Firefighter and public safety is the first priority on all fires,” said Incident Commander Paul Stevko. “Operational tactics are selected to minimize risk to firefighters. If this or any wilderness fire becomes a public safety hazard, firefighters are prepared to escalate their response.”

By utilizing minimum impact suppression tactics (MIST) firefighters are containing the fire using natural barriers like rocky or wet areas, or preexisting manmade barriers like trails. These type of operations will disturb the wilderness ecosystem as little as possible.

The fire is burning two-thirds of a mile south of the Bubbs Creek Trail and west of the East Creek Trail, located less than ten miles east of Roads End Permit Station in the Cedar Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park

With high-elevation weather changes forecast for mid-week, including increased thunderstorm risk, firefighters will be flown out of the area. Future planned actions will be to either patrol by park helicopter or with on the ground patrols, whichever is the safer of the two options.

For current information, additional updates, and photos on the East Creek Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5904/
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: Georges Fire 7/9

Post by webdweeb »

maverick wrote:Inyo Co Sheriff's Dept:
Due to the #GeorgesFire The Sheriff’s Office is in the process of evacuating Whitney Portal campgrounds, and closing Whitney Portal. Road to the Portal is closed
.
Hmmm-I've got a permit for Cottonwood Lakes for Thursday, wondering if I should postpone my visit. The trend of the fire is north and west, but mountain-forecast for Langley shows a changing wind direction through the end of the week, including periods of north to south wind. The lady I spoke with at the Lone Pine FS office said they are considering closing the road to Horseshoe Meadow but have not yet done so, but they said it is day-to-day and depends on how the fire progresses (or not).
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Re: 2018 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports

Post by maverick »

I would choose an alternate location, something not that close to the fire, wind can change daily, smoke might get pretty bad, it is already at 2000 acres and 0% contained, you might park your car only to find out you cannot get back to it. :(
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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Georges Fire 7/9

Post by maverick »

USFS:
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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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Smoke Impact 7/9

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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