Cow Fire Burning at a Low Intensity

The Cow Fire is located twenty three miles southwest of Lone Pine, California deep within the Golden Trout Wilderness. The fire started on July 25 as the result of a lightning strike and has been inactive until recently. This fire is in a remote, high elevation forest burning at low intensity in lodge-pole pine, white and red fir in the Schaeffer Meadow area.

Fire fighter and public safety is the most important objective of the incident. To minimize risk to firefighters, the two 10 person crews were flown in by helicopter and are being supported by mule trains. The mule trains bring in supplies, equipment and food several times a week so that the firefighters are able to remain in the field and work on the fire. Firefighters are using a “confine and contain strategy” for this fire. Mt. Whitney District Fire Management Officer Tomas Gonzalez says “Confine/contain strategies are not always appropriate tactics to use. For example, there was a fire in this same area last year and it was quickly extinguished as last year’s fire conditions were much more severe. This year, with as much moisture as the Sierra received, managing the Cow Fire by confinement/containment is the right strategy for this place at this time.

”Firefighters have strategically placed containment lines in areas that minimize hazards and risk for working in this remote area. Natural fire breaks such as steep cliffs that are devoid of vegetation are being incorporated into the containment lines. The crews continue to strengthen these containment lines by removing combustible materials near the lines and with the use of pumps and hose lays. The smoke produced by the Cow Fire continues to minimally impact the Owen’s Valley.

Use of Pack Trains on the Inyo National Forest: Pack mules and experienced Forest Service packers have been part of the work force on the Inyo National Forest for 112 years. Mules are used to haul in equipment and supplies to support firefighters working on incidents in wilderness areas or locations inaccessible by vehicles and aircraft. Pack mules haul in trail construction materials and hand tools for wilderness trail crews as well as supplies needed for resource protection projects. The Inyo is one of 6 forests in California that maintains mule teams. Currently there are 27 mules and 3 horses employed on the Inyo with 5 packers. The packers have the expertise to work with the mules and the skills needed to load up the mules.

For wildfires in wilderness areas, mules are the most practical and cost effective way to care for the land. For more background on mules in the Forest Service, please visit the R5 Pack Stock Center of Excellence website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/packstockcoe/home

Closure Order:
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is now in place for the Cow Fire.For the latest information try these sources:Facebook: www.facebook.com/inyonf