News Release

KNP Complex Update October 22, 2021

Date: October 22, 2021
Contact: KNP Complex Information, [phone]

Acres: 88,307 acres Containment: 60%
Start Date: September 10, 2021 Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest
Resources: 622 personnel including: 8 crews, 15 engines, 16 water tenders, 6 dozers and 20 helicopters

Yesterday, fire activity was minimal and crews were able to gain valuable ground working toward the completion of containment lines and suppression repair activities.

Incident managers determine which critical values exist in a fire area when considering objectives during initial fire response, along with assets that could be threatened by potential future fire growth. In the KNP Complex, some of these critical values were determined to be the sequoia groves that are internationally recognized treasures and historic landmarks which are unique to this area. Making risk-informed decisions to minimize fire impacts to the sequoia groves has been a priority for every team assigned to this complex since its date of discovery. Risk-informed decision making requires evaluating and weighing safety considerations against desired outcomes. Considering those safety concerns and planning daily tasks is a coordinated effort. Hazard trees and the mitigation required to ensure life and structure welfare is one of the major safety considerations KNP Complex managers must consider.

Hazard trees—weakened by drought, disease, age, and/or fire—have a high probability to fail in part or whole and have the potential to strike people, cars, other structures, or create barriers to emergency response services. Reports indicate that there are upwards of ten thousand potential hazard trees along the Generals Highway. This count does not include hazard trees in the backcountry. Park foresters, fire and restoration managers have been working cooperatively to develop hazard tree mitigation actions. The KNP Complex currently has several saw crews strategically placed working along the Generals Highway to create safe travel zones for firefighters, residents, and future visitors. Until more progress has been made along major routes within the fire area, those roads will not open. Saw crews and feller bunchers are steadily working in and around the KNP Complex, and future updates will document more specific work being done by these crews.

Weather: A weak disturbance will bring a slight chance of light showers today and tomorrow, with cooler and breezy conditions. A potential season-ending rain event is expected by late this weekend into early next week, with most of the precipitation arriving Monday.

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

Evacuations: Visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0.

Closures: Visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/.

FIRE INFORMATION
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND MEDIA: [phone]
EMAIL: [e-mail]
INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/
YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/2021KNPComplex
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