News Release

KNP Complex Update October 19, 2021

Date: October 19, 2021
Contact: KNP Complex Information, PUBLIC: (559) 494-4881 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Contact: MEDIA: (925) 588-6773

Acres: 88,184 acres
Containment: 55%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest
Resources: 695 personnel including: 11 crews, 19 engines, 18 water tenders, 9 dozers and 14 helicopters

Snow fell across most of the fire area Sunday night providing a significant slowdown in fire activity Monday. Over two inches still covered the area Monday evening. Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks assisted with plowing and road clearing, enabling crews to access areas on the Generals Highway safely. Fire management officials are also working with the park to remove hazard trees that are preventing safe access to areas needing mitigation and/or patrol. The west side of the fire, not blanketed by snow and considered fully contained, saw progress with suppression repair on contingency lines and through chipping activities in and around the Hartland community. A hotshot crew was able to enter the area below the Giant Forest and initiate contingency line construction even through the snow.

Today, firefighters will focus much of their attention on keeping fire down-canyon from Atwell Grove (north of Mineral King Road), and south of the Kaweah River and west of Mineral Springs. Between Montecito Lodge and Stony Creek, crews will continue to patrol and assess opportunities for fireline construction. Natural rightsizing of team and resources occurs as objectives are met, modified, and as fire containment increases. Resources are placed in areas where they are needed the most on any incident, including the KNP Complex. The communities our incident management teams have been able to serve over the course of the last six weeks can rest assured that, if conditions warrant on the KNP Complex, resources will be ordered back to meet the needs of the incident.

On Wednesday, October 20, at 1800, California Incident Management Team 12 will assume command of the KNP Complex.

Weather: Temperatures will continue to warm through the remainder of the week, and humidity levels will drop.

Safety: Please be aware of and respect closures and reduce speeds when traveling in and around the fire area.

Evacuations: For the most up-to-date information, visit NIFC KNP Complex Fire Evacuations

Closures: The Sequoia National Forest will reopen portions of the Hume Lake Ranger District for public use, Tuesday, October 19 by implementing Forest Order No. 0513-21-36. Specific roads and trails will remain closed to protect public safety. The closure order will be in effect through December 31, 2021. View closures at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/.