News Release

KNP Complex Update – September 17, 2021

Date: September 17, 2021
Contact: Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team, [phone] (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Acres: 11,365 acres (based on infrared flight)  
Start Date: September 11, 2021  
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 416 personnel including 10 crews, 28 engines, 6 water tenders, and 8 helicopters
Percent Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning                                         

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 11, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. The complex is comprised of the Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire. The Paradise Fire is currently measured at 8,203 acres, and the Colony Fire is currently measured at 3,162 acres, for a combined total for the KNP Complex of 11,365 acres, with 0% containment.

A community meeting is scheduled for tonight, September 17, 2021, at 7 p.m. at the Three Rivers Veterans Memorial Building. The meeting will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/SequoiaKingsNPS/, and will be available to view afterwards. Please wear a mask indoors regardless of your vaccination status.

Both fires grew moderately yesterday in all directions. The Colony Fire has not reached the Giant Forest at this time. Firefighters continue extensive preparation work in that area, as well as around infrastructure further north in the Lodgepole area, in anticipation of possible fire growth in that direction. On the Paradise Fire, CAL FIRE crews are working to protect structures in the cabin communities along the Mineral King Road, as well as building dozer lines between the fire and the Three Rivers community. With the arrival of new resources, an operational night shift has been instituted.

Fire behavior in the next several days will hinge on winds and resultant atmospheric conditions, with flanking and backing behavior on all sides of the fires expected along with active fire behavior wherever sunlight is able to penetrate the heavy smoke layers. Currently there are no changes to evacuation orders and warnings. Heavy smoke is expected to continue in the area.

The remainder of the Three Rivers community is under evacuation warning. The evacuation warning is not an order. It means that residents should prepare for the possibility of evacuation, so that they will be ready to mobilize and leave should the evacuation warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under evacuation warning and order, as well as other evacuation resources, at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies.

Sequoia National Park is closed to the public. Kings Canyon National Park remains open, but air quality impacts are likely. Air quality is seriously affected in Three Rivers. Particulate matter readings have been in the “hazardous” range for much of the day. Communities further from the parks are also feeling air quality impacts. Track your local air quality at https://fire.airnow.gov/.
 
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.