Fire

Yesterday fire activity was moderate. Progress continues on

the east, south and west sides of the fire. Containment is still

12%. New fire growth was minimal. Prep & building firebreaks

continue. Burnout operations may continue. Today fire activity

is expected to be elevated. There is no “smoke blanket” &

critical weather is present. Western perimeter is "the priority”.

Fire info, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048

Smoke

Yesterday, air quality was overall a little better. If planned

burnouts proceed or fire grows, expect degraded air quality

west of Kern River drainage. The Foothills & Sequoia and Kings

Canyon National Parks will experience poorest air quality. At

night N-NE ridge top winds can return daytime smoke.

Special Note

Smoke Outlook reflects particulate matter impacts on air

quality. Review your closest monitoring station when planning

outdoor activities. Air quality may change unexpectedly. If you

begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged

to follow the "actions to protect yourself" listed below.

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. September 9, 2020 – Two fires are being monitored in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks within the designated wilderness. Both fires are naturally caused lightning strikes. The fires are slow-growing and display creeping and smoldering behavior deep within the wilderness boundaries, offering no threat to human safety or loss of property.
 

Considering the location and activity of the Moraine and Rattlesnake Fires, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are utilizing a less intensive suppression strategy. The Moraine Fire, 575 acres and 70% contained, is being managed with minimal impact suppression techniques while using the natural landscape to assist in efforts. Natural rock features, trails and other natural barriers are acting as containment lines to allow firefighters to focus on other large fires in the region. 
 

The Rattlesnake Fire, 1060 acres and 0% contained, is also being managed using similar tactics as the Moraine Fire. Rattlesnake Fire continues to grow each day but is displaying steady fire activity at this time. Due to this growth, Sequoia National Park has expanded the previous area closure. Beginning at the south boundary of Sequoia National Park with the intersection of the Great Western Divide, north along the Great Western Divide to Kaweah Gap, southeast to Chagoopa Plateau along the base of the Kaweah Peaks to the Kern Canyon, north to Junction Meadow and the Colby Pass Trail (not included), east along the High Sierra Trail (not included) to the John Muir Trail/PCT (not included), south along the PCT (not included) to the park boundary, and west along the park boundary back to the point of origin.
 

The Generals Highway, the main road through the parks, remains open at this time allowing visitors access to the giant sequoias in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
 

For more information on Rattlesnake Fire, including a closure map, please go to: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7131/
 

For more information on the Moraine Fire, please go to: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7089/
 

-NPS-
 

About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ Fire Management Program

For over fifty years, our mission has been to use the full range of options and strategies available to manage fire in the parks. This includes protecting park resources, employees, and the public from unwanted fire; building and maintaining fire resilient ecosystems; reducing the threat to local communities from wildfires emanating from the parks or adjacent lands; and recruiting, training, and retaining a professional fire management workforce.

The parks are experiencing an increase in smoke concentrations due to area wildfires.

For additional information regarding air quality and wildland fire smoke please visit  the website below which has an interactive version  automatically updates the hourly PM2.5 data.  
https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra-Sequoia

Also, check smoke conditions at the following areas: 

1. Ash Mountain and Three Rivers
2. Giant Forest and Lodgepole
3. Grant Grove
4. Cedar Grove
5. Mineral King

Please utilize the resources available to you by paying attention to the forecasts, and more importantly, the real-time data posting within the enclosed links. As a reminder, the Air Quality Info  page provides the forecasts and links to ozone conditions. 

The original trail closure order D04-169-S-20 is the only order that remains in effect for the Drumming Fire. Trail #179 is closed from its junction with Trail #391 north to the Continental Divide; please see attached for full text.

 Please see the attached USDA article for frequently asked questions and resources regarding the impacts of wildfire smoke during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Swager Creek Fire: estimated 2,272 acres, 100% contained
Location: approximately 14 miles northwest of Albany, Texas

The Swager Creek Fire is 2,272 acres, 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.  

Swager Creek Fire: estimated 2,272 acres, 75% contained
Location: approximately 14 miles northwest of Albany, Texas

Resources have returned to the fire to continue fire suppression efforts. Dozer crews will construct and improve containment line around the fire perimeter. Engine crews will patrol the containment line mopping up hotspots. Aerial resources will be utilized when available.  

Fire Weather: Very hot and sunny conditions expected today and tomorrow, with minimum relative humidity falling to around 20 percent in the afternoon. Winds will primarily be out of the southwest direction with winds strongest during the late morning and early afternoon hours both days. No rain is in the forecast.

Swager Creek Fire: estimated 2,000 acres, 75% contained
Location: approximately 14 miles northwest of Albany, Texas

Dozer crews made progress on construction line containment. Air resources made beneficial retardant and water drops on active parts of the fire. Crews will return tomorrow to continue fire suppression efforts.  

The Lake Trammell Fire is 14 acres and 100% contained. Command of the fire has been transitioned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.

Royal Pines II Fire: 2.51 acres, 100% contained

The Royal Pines II Fire is 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.