News Release

KNP Complex Update – September 25, 2021

Date: September 25, 2021
Contact: SEKI Fire Information, PUBLIC: [phone], MEDIA: [phone]

Acres: 42,048 acres (based on infrared flight)
Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning 
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 1,729 personnel including: 56 crews, 69 engines, 39 water tenders and 21 helicopters

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9 and reported the next day, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. Incident priorities are the protection of life and property in surrounding communities; protection of the Giant Sequoia Groves; and protection of infrastructure within the Sequoia National Park. There was 9,002 acres of growth on the fire in the last 24 hours. The majority of that growth was in the Ash Mountain and Mineral King Road areas where a burning operation took place to protect private residences and Park buildings and infrastructure.

Resources continue to be allocated in alignment with incident priorities. Additional resources are now in place to facilitate improvements in fuel breaks near Big Baldy Trail, Twin Lakes Trail, Cabin Creek, and a possible burning operation in the area north and west of Ash Mt. CALFIRE dozers and hand crews continue work on the west side of the fire to clean up contingency lines. Structure protection efforts continue in the Cabin Creek, Lodgepole, Silver City and Mineral King areas. California Army National Guard units continue their mopup operations in the Giant Forest.

Today’s weather forecast: Weather continues to hold consistent. High pressure continues to dominate the region today. Winds remain light and terrain driven. Areas where smoke clears will see more active fire behavior in the afternoon. Overnight humidity recovery last night was near zero. Poor humidity recovery and warmer temperatures will lead to drier conditions through the afternoon.

Air operations will continue to support ground operations as smoke conditions allow across the entire fire area.

There have been no new evacuation Warnings or Orders for the KNP Complex in the past 24 hours. All evacuation warnings and orders that that have been issued are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under a warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed. 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.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all firefighting aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit: http:/knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:
PUBLIC: [phone] (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); MEDIA: [phone] (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
EMAIL: [e-mail]
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @SequoiaKingsNPS