News Release

Ten-Acre Wildfire Discovered in Kings Canyon Wilderness

Date: July 7, 2018
Contact: Mike Theune, Fire Information Officer, 559-565-3703
Contact: Rebecca Paterson, Fire Information Officer, 559-565-3129

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Calif. July 7, 2018 – Early this afternoon, a wildfire was reported in the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park by a patrolling trail ranger. Named the East Creek Fire, it is currently ten-acres, and is burning two-thirds of a mile south of the Bubbs Creek Trail and west of the East Creek Trail, about eight and half miles east of Roads End. The greatest growth potential currently exists on the east/southeast side of the fire.

Due to the fire’s wilderness location, it currently poses no threats to life or property. However, fire managers are taking suppression actions to confine the fire. Firefighters are currently identifying natural barriers such as rocky outcroppings to use to contain fire spread. Minimum impact suppression tactics (MIST) are being utilized, so that firefighting operations will disturb the wilderness ecosystem as little as possible.

“Our priorities for this fire are to minimize risks to the public and to our firefighters, and then to minimize impacts to the wilderness,” says Kings Canyon Fire Management Officer John Ziegler.

No trail closures are in place at this time. Trail guards are in place on the East Creek Trail to connect with hikers ascending south in the direction of East Lake and Lake Reflection, and will advise or escort hikers through the section of trail closest to the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

For current information, additional updates, and photos on the East Creek Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5904/

-NPS-