SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. September 19, 2020 – Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks continue to have two active fires burning in designated wilderness with no threats to people or property. The Rattlesnake and Moraine Fires were both caused by lighting and continue to show slow and minor fire growth. The Rattlesnake Fire is 2,078 acres and the Moraine Fire is 575 acres.
 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are in a highly fire-adapted ecosystem. This means that fire has shaped this landscape for thousands of years and the plants and animals have evolved to live with fire. The main example within the parks are the sequoia trees themselves. Not only does the giant sequoia have thick bark to provide protection from high heat sources, the cones have also developed to open only during periods of high temperatures to release seeds, generating new trees. This type of cone is referred to as serotinous. Sequoia trees would not exist today if there was not fire to support them.
 

In addition to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks full park closures, park managers have implemented a designated wilderness closure in response to the Rattlesnake Fire. 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.
 

Smoke remains prevalent in the park and air quality is unhealthy for all people. To learn more, please visit fire.airnow.gov
 

To learn more about our fires, please visit inciweb.nwcg.gov and click Rattlesnake or Moraine Fire.
 

-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.

Fire
Yesterday was an active fire day. Current size is 128,902
acres. New fire growth was 6,067 acres & containment
remains at 12%. With a very poor humidity recovery last night
and today’s strong afternoon West-Southwest ridge winds, fire
activity is going to start late (early afternoon). Light morning
winds, a smoke blanket, & cloud cover will keep fire activity
moderate in the AM. Today fire activity will be very active in
the afternoon until late evening when humidity rises to its best
levels for this fire. Saturday presents similar conditions with
the exception ridge winds are not as strong. The Southern
perimeter held as new smokes appeared. The Eastern
perimeter became more active & is still checked. The Western
perimeter priority is still point protection & structure defense
and timely burnouts. Fire info, visit
inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048

Smoke
Yesterday, the air quality was Unhealthy to Hazardous. The
morning smoke levels will not lower until the afternoon strong
West-Southwest ridge winds appear. Tonight all impacted
drainages will collect smoke at higher levels as cooler night
temperatures & humidity increase fuel smoldering. Saturday
brings again West-Southwest ridge winds. This will continue to
lower smoke levels in San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Foothills.

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.

Fire
Yesterday was an active fire day. Current size is 122,835
acres. New fire growth was 8,515 acres & containment
remains at 12%. Today, expect another active day. Fire growth
can expand during the day or night. On Friday, this period of
“fire growth" is reinforced by faster West-Southwest ridge
winds. The Southern perimeter held as new smokes appeared.
The Eastern perimeter became active. The Western perimeter
is constantly adjusting due to fire growth & the need for
structure protection. Fire info, visit
inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048

Smoke
Yesterday, the air quality was mostly Unhealthy to Very
Unhealthy. Today, air quality is projected to deteriorate further
especially for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Tule
River and Kern River drainages are the conduits & collection
spaces of area smoke. On Friday, ridge winds become West-
Southwest. This can improve air quality in the Valley & Sierra
Foothills.

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.

Fire

Yesterday was a very active fire day. Current size is 113,498

acres. New fire growth was 7,219 acres. This was the 3rd day

of substantial fire growth. Containment still remains at 12%.

Today and thru Saturday, the fire will be “extremely active”.

Over this time it is expected that fire growth will expand

significantly day or night. Fire activity starts early as relative

humidity recovery was very poor. The Southern perimeter still

holds. The Eastern perimeter continues to be improved. The

Western perimeter is constantly under adjustment due to fire

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

Smoke

Yesterday, smoke within Outlook area was mostly Unhealthy.

Today through Saturday, smoke's effect on air quality is

projected to deteriorate further. The Tule River and Kern River

drainages serve as major conduits for smoke travel into lower

elevations. With South-Southwest ridge winds, most of the

smoke stays in the Sierras. This smoke production period is

exceptionally high.

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.

Fire

Yesterday, the fire had another active day. Its current size is

107,101 acres. This is the 2nd day of 16,000 acres plus

growth. Containment still remains at 12%. The Southern

perimeter continues to hold. The Eastern perimeter continues

to be improved. Due to fire growth the Western perimeter is

fluid & adjusting. Today, the fire remains active. Growth similar

to yesterday is possible. Fire info, visit

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048

Smoke

Yesterday, Sierra Foothills & Sequoia and Kings Canyon

National Parks experienced degraded air (exception Grant

Grove & Giant Forest). Today, smoke impacts are expected to

be worse. Ridge winds are still South-Southeast. SQF

Complex's smoke will significantly impact the Creek Fire & San

Joaquin Valley.

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.

Fire
Yesterday, the fire was active. Fire growth was a carryover from the previous day. For 30 continuous hours the fire made an ~ 11 mile run. Growth was 16,427 acres. South & East perimeters held. Containment remains at 12%. Today, fire is already active. This AM smoke column is up & developed. Fire weather is critical with more stability & moisture. Fire growth will be via normal fire spread & burnouts. Fire info, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048

Smoke
Yesterday, air quality was affected by East winds & fire breakout. Sierra Foothills & Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks experienced degraded air. Today, smoke will be widely shared. Ridge winds are South-Southeast. More smoke will remain close to the surface. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Sierra Foothills will experience varying levels of air quality thru the day. SQF Complex smoke will impact Creek Fire.

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.

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.