News Release

KNP Complex North and South Zones Update, October 13, 2021

Date: October 13, 2021
Contact: KNP Complex Information, Public [phone] (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) 
Contact: Media [phone]

Acres: 87,786 acres
Containment: 40%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning 
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest 
Resources: 2,019 personnel including: 39 crews, 121 engines, 40 water tenders, 9 dozers and 17 helicopters 

California Incident Management Team 2 has assumed full command of the KNP Complex as of 1800 Tuesday. California Incident Management Team 1 has been released to support the Los Padres National Forest. 

Branch 1 (North): Minimal fire activity was present yesterday across the north end of the fire, but smoke was still heavy due to isolated pockets of heat from heavy fuel loads and burning stumps across the forest floor. Fire crews focused mainly on mop up and patrol activities, and worked to strengthen line between Montecito Lodge and Stony Creek. These activities will remain a priority in the coming days. As temperatures rise and fall and humidity levels change daily, fire activity will naturally increase and decrease but no forward progression outside the current fire footprint is expected. Fluctuations in fire activity will continue to occur until a multiple-day wetting (or season-ending) event occurs. Statistically this takes place in the month of October. 

Branch 2 (South): The fire was fairly quiet yesterday across the southern flank, with most activity being observed on the eastern side of the fire upslope from the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. Contingency lines on the western side of the fire are nearing completion, and mop up and patrol will be primary activities in the coming days. Fire activity is expected to pick up slightly within the next few days as fuels become drier and temperatures increase, but no outward progression is expected. Firing operations will be implemented as needed to protect any identified values at risk. 

Weather: Temperatures will start warming today, and the rest of the week a high-pressure system is expected to build in the area. Winds will remain light. 

Safety: Please continue to respect closures and reduce speeds when traveling in and around the fire area.  

Evacuations: Evacuation ORDERS and WARNINGS are in place. For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0. Learn to prepare for an evacuation by visiting https://www.readyforwildfire.org/. 

Closures: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed. View closures at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/ 

Smoke Impacts: Current air quality updates can be found at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

FIRE INFORMATION  

(PLEASE NOTE PHONE NUMBER CHANGES) 

PUBLIC: [phone] (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) 

MEDIA: [phone] 

EMAIL: e-mail us 

INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/ 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sequoiakingsnps/ and https://www.facebook.com/sequoiaNF/ 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SequoiaKingsnps and https://twitter.com/sequoiaforest 

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/Sequoiakingsnps 

YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/KNPComplexYT