High Sierra Topix

Air Quality Alert

CAC019-029-031-039-047-077-099-107-032300-
FRESNO-KERN-KINGS-MADERA-MARIPOSA-MERCED-SAN JOAQUIN-STANISLAUS-
TULARE-

AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CA
140 AM PDT WED AUG 3 2016

THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT HAS ISSUED
AN AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO SMOKE IMPACTS IN SAN JOAQUIN,
STANISLAUS, MERCED, MADERA, FRESNO, KINGS, TULARE, AND THE VALLEY
PORTION OF KERN COUNTIES FROM THE SOBERANES FIRE IN MONTEREY
COUNTY AND THE GOOSE FIRE IN FRESNO COUNTY.

THIS AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
AUGUST 3.

EXPOSURE TO PARTICLE POLLUTION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS,
AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASE, CAUSE ASTHMA ATTACKS AND ACUTE
BRONCHITIS, AND INCREASE RISK OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.

RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION AS CONDITIONS WARRANT.
PEOPLE WITH HEART OR LUNG DISEASES SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR DOCTORS
ADVICE FOR DEALING WITH EPISODES OF UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY.

ADDITIONALLY, OLDER ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD AVOID PROLONGED
EXPOSURE, STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES OR HEAVY EXERTION, AS CONDITIONS
DICTATE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CALL YOUR LOCAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
AIR DISTRICT OFFICE.

The Clark Fire is a lightning-caused fire that was detected yesterday afternoon. It is estimated to be 1,603 acres and 10% contained.

The fire is burning near Bald Mountain, east of Highway 395, and north of the Owens River Road.

The fire is burning at 7,000 - 8,000 feet in elevation in sagebrush and cheat grass and into Jeffrey pine in the higher elevations.

The fire remained active throughout night and burned north towards Bald Mountain and into Indiana Summit Research Natural Area; primarily burning in Jeffrey pine forest.

Crews focused on fireline on the south east flank of the fire to protect nearby private developments and ranches and used nearby forest service roads as containment lines. They will continue to strengthen these lines today.

Clark Canyon, a popular climbing area, has been evacuated. Afternoon wind and low relative humidity continues to be a concern for fire crews.

There are several Forest Service roads that lead to the Bald Mountain area and visitors are advised to avoid these roads and the fire area for their safety and firefighter safety.

There are numerous hand crews, engines, air tankers, helicopters, air attack and lead planes, and a dozer assigned to the fire. There are approximately 200 people assigned to the incident.

The Rock Creek Fire is estimated to be 185 acres and 5% contained. Down canyon winds last night pushed the fire south beyond the containment line towards Swall Meadows. The fire response today will focus on securing the southern flank of the fire and then using that as an anchor to secure the open fireline. This fire is burning in brush, cheat grass, pinyon pine, and juniper. Continuous fine fuels from the cheat grass and winds allow this fire to grow quickly. Swall Meadows has been evacuated and the Crowley Lake Community Center has been set up for a evacuation center. Four crews, 15 engines, 2 helicopters, and 2 air tankers, 3 water tenders, and a dozer are assigned to the incident.
Lower Rock Creek Road is closed between Swall Meadows and Highway 395. The fire is under investigation but appears to be human caused. Low relative humidity and afternoon winds continue to be concern. A Type II team has been ordered due to increased fire activity on the Inyo and the additional needs for firefighter.

Fire started on the south side of Highway 50 south of Sand Flat campground. Resources were quickly on scene. Firefighters made good progress overnight. The north side of the fire is within the containment area. Firefighters will be working on the south side of the fire on Alder Ridge and strengthening containment lines today. Concerns for Alder lookout and the communication site on Alder Ridge. Sand Flat campground is impacted due to incident traffic as that road is the major access to the incident. Highway 50 should see increased traffic in the Sand Flat area so travelers should be cautious.

The Clark Fire is 3,050 acres and is 60% contained. This lightning fire is located east of Highway 395 near Bald Mountain. The line is holding well along the southwest flanks. While crews have completed line along the northeast flank, they remain focused on areas of active fire along the line.
Clark Canyon, a popular climbing area, has been evacuated. There are several Forest Service roads that lead to the Bald Mountain area and visitors should avoid these roads and the fire area for their safety and firefighter safety.
There are six hand crews, 14 engines, two air tankers, three helicopters, air attack and a lead plane, and a two dozers assigned to the fire. There are 254 people assigned to the incident.
Low relative humidity and afternoon winds continue to be concern for the fire.
The Central Coast Incident Management Team arrived today and shadowed the local forest team. They will assume command of both fires tomorrow at 6:00 am.

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.

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.

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