News Release

KNP Complex North and South Zones Update October 10, 2021

Date: October 11, 2021
Contact: SEKI Fire Information, North Zone, PUBLIC and MEDIA: [phone]
Contact: SEKI Fire Information, South Zone, PUBLIC: [phone], MEDIA: [phone]

Acres: 87,145 acres
Containment: 20%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Sequoia National Forest
Resources: 1,935 personnel including: 41 crews, 112 engines, 36 water tenders, 21 dozers and 16 helicopters

Announcement: KNP Complex North and South Zone Virtual Community Meeting will be held Sunday October 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be live streamed to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook Page, the Sequoia National Forest Facebook Page and the KNP Complex YouTube channel. Please email [e-mail] with questions prior to the meeting.

North Zone: Fire crews are taking advantage of the recent rain and favorable weather. Higher fuel moisture and increased humidity has decreased the chance of rapid fire spread allowing for line construction directly on the fire’s edge in several areas where it was previously unsafe to do so. Six hot shot crews are making good progress cutting line from the area of Big Baldy Mountain south to Cabin Creek. Structure protection groups are deployed in Giant Forest Grove, Wilsonia and Grant Grove. These groups are protecting both structures and sequoia groves. Sprinkler systems have been set up around structures and within the groves. Work on the west contingency line at Logger Peak and Dark Canyon is expected to be completed in a couple of days.

South Zone: California Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the South Zone on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm. They will continue to build upon the good work previously done by Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2. Firefighters assisted by aviation assets will continue to patrol and mop up along the fire perimeter starting at the zone break, working south towards Advent. With the additional containment along the southwest portion of the fire, crews will begin to backhaul the nearly 40,000 ft of hose lay in place. Firefighters are utilizing the existing dozer line to access the fire perimeter northeast of Three Rives. They will address any concerning heats along the perimeter, air support will be available to assist with bucket drops as visibility allows. Secondary contingency lines continue to be scouted in preparation of any movement. Containment of the south end of the fire continues to be a high priority. Crews are working to keep the fire north of the East Fork of the Kaweah River. Handline is being constructed in the southwest corner to prevent spread to the west of Mineral King Road. Preparation and protection efforts are ongoing in Atwell Grove.

Weather: A weak high pressure system over the area will bring slightly warmer temperatures today.

Safety: Please continue to respect closures and reduce speeds when traveling in and around the fire area.

Evacuations: Evacuation ORDERS and WARNINGS are in place. For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4b2ac27b5c8943ed92c0e77aa94daca0. Learn to prepare for an evacuation by visiting https://www.readyforwildfire.org/.

Closures: 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. View closures at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7838/

Smoke Impacts: Current air quality updates can be found at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Fire Information:

North Zone
PUBLIC and MEDIA: [phone] (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

South Zone
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
YOUTUBE:

https://bit.ly/KNPComplexYT