News Release

KNP Complex Update – October 5, 2021

Date: October 5, 2021
Contact: KNP Complex Fire Information, PUBLIC: [phone] (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Contact: MEDIA, [phone]

Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2 

Dave Bales – Incident Commander  

Acres:  79,382 acres
Containment: 11 % 
Start Date: September 10, 2021 
Cause: Lightning 
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest 
Resources: 1,566 personnel including: 27 crews, 90 engines, 35 water tenders, 18 dozers and 13 helicopters 

A Virtual Community Meeting will be held at 7:00 pm tonight at https://www.facebook.com/SequoiaKingsNPS/live_videos 

Active fire behavior was observed over most of the fire yesterday, making a run as it became established in Redwood Creek on the northern end. Firefighters provided structure protection for Wilsonia, Hartland, Quail Flat, and Grant Grove along the northwest perimeter. The fire crossed Generals Highway near Redwood Mountain Grove and Stoney Creek, causing firefighters to temporarily move to safer locations. On the southern side of the fire, resources worked along the Mineral King Road to contain the spot fires from Sunday night. Firefighters also provided structure protection in Silver City and the Mineral King area. Aircraft were able to support ground resources with bucket drops on Monday once the smoke cleared enough to safely fly. 

Today, firefighters will improve control lines along the northwest perimeter to keep the fire east of Hartland and protect Wilsonia, Hartland, Quail Flat, and Grant Grove Village. Resources are working at the Big Whistle area and around park structures to stop the fire from moving any farther north. Along Generals Highway, firefighters are patrolling established firelines near Big Baldy and construct firelines father east by Stoney Creek and Cabin Creek to prevent further spread to the northeast. Resources south of Morro Rock are connecting indirect lines back to established containment lines. On the southern perimeter of the fire, resources are working to contain the fire where it crossed Mineral King Road. Crews are working to keep the fire from progressing south toward Ash Mountain. Structure protection continues for Silver City, the Mineral King area, Three Rivers and Ash Mountain. Aviation assets are available to support firefighting efforts on the ground as visibility improves. 

For public and firefighter safety, we ask if you are traveling along road systems near the fire are to please slow down, turn on your lights and watch out fire equipment on the road. 

For more detailed information on Evacuation orders and Warnings you can visit:https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0 

A ridge of high pressure finally begins to break down as a low-pressure trough approaches. This will allow a small increase in westerly winds aloft, bringing slightly better smoke mixing in the afternoon. Local winds will remain light, and terrain driven. Humidity levels will rise slowly, which will help to moderate fire behavior. 

Information about how to prepare for evacuations can be found at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/ 

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. 

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA. 

Fire Information: 

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