Horseshoe Fire Update

Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cainf-horseshoe-fire-2024

Fire Size: approximately 3,000 acres at 0% containment
Personnel: approximately 700
Location: 7 miles southwest of Lone Pine, California 
Start date: October 30, 2024
Cause: undetermined
Unified Command agencies: U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE – BDU, Inyo County Sheriff, Lone Pine Fire Protection District

Current Situation:

The Horseshoe Fire exhibited moderate to high intensity behavior due to the erratic and strong winds, at times gusting in excess of 65 miles per hour. Despite these conditions, firefighters were able to make great progress in constructing containment lines on the north, east, and south flanks of the fire.  The steepest elevations along the western flank continue to be the most active area of this fire.  

Evacuations have not changed since this morning.

A helicopter worked to drop water where possible, but was grounded in the afternoon due to the high winds along with other air attack attempting to gain more intelligence on the fire’s activity and size. Tomorrow morning air resources will attempt again with more favorable conditions in the forecast.

A damage assessment team has been ordered for this incident.

Evacuations: 
Check your latest zone status here: https://protect.genasys.com/zones/

• Evacuation Orders:
  • Horseshoe Meadows area (Zone 223-A)
  • Lubken Canyon area (Zone 195 and 197)
  • Lone Pine Mobile Oasis/Foothill Trailer Park (Zone 207)
  • Boulder Creek (Zone 211)
• Evacuation Warnings:
  • Alabama Hills area (Zone 193)
• Wildfire Advisories:
  • Granite View area (Zone 223-C)
• Evacuation Center: Statham Hall (138 N. Jackson Street, Lone Pine)
   

Road closures: https://ready.inyocounty.us/pages/horseshoe-fire

• Lubken Canyon Road closed at Highway 395
• Tuttle Creek Road closed at Whitney Portal Road
• Horseshoe Meadow Road closed at Lubken Canyon Road
   

For the latest information on evacuations and road closures, visit: https://ready.inyocounty.us/pages/horseshoe-fire

ROAD CLOSURES: 

As of 1:53 PM on November 23, 2024:

• Lubken Canyon Road closed at Highway 395
• Tuttle Creek Road closed at Whitney Portal Road
• Horseshoe Meadow Road closed at Lubken Canyon Road

For information on Highway closures, visit CalTrans District 9 social media: www.facebook.com/Caltrans9 

Avoid the area and respect all road closures.

View area/zone information here on Genasys/Zonehaven: https://protect.genasys.com/search
Allow Genasys to share your location and pan/zoom to the area you are interested in, or input your address.

As of 11/23/24 at 1:15 p.m. the following evacuations are in place: 

Mandatory Evacuation Orders:

• Horseshoe Meadows area (Zone 223-A)
• Lubken Canyon area (Zone 195 and 197)
• Lone Pine Mobile Oasis/Foothill Trailer Park (Zone 207)
• Boulder Creek (Zone 211)

Evacuation Warnings:

• Alabama Hills area (Zone 193)

Wildfire Advisories:

• Granite View area (Zone 223-C)

An Evacuation Center has been opened at Statham Hall (138 N. Jackson Street, Lone Pine).

BRIDGE POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY RELEASED

The Forest Service—Angeles National Forest completed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment of the Line burned area and affected watersheds to determine their response, soil conditions, potential threats, and recommended BAER emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands. BAER emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned areas during rainstorm events such as: human life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF documents called “Bridge Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Summary_PUBLIC”.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

LINE POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY RELEASED

The Forest Service—San Bernardino National Forest completed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment of the Line burned area and affected watersheds to determine their response, soil conditions, potential threats, and recommended BAER emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands. BAER emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned areas during rainstorm events such as: human life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF documents called “Line Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Summary_PUBLIC”.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

Superior Ranger District: The Superior Ranger District plans to burn an acre of piles at the Cabin City Campground located ½  mile northeast of Cabin City.  Smoke may be visible from Cabin City. 

The Lolo National Forest will continue to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Plains/Thompson Falls and Superior Ranger Districts today, as weather and fuels conditions allow.

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District:  Firefighters will burn up to 30 acres of piles located 11 miles west of Thompson Falls. Smoke may be visible from Highway 471.

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres of piles located 5 miles northwest of St. Regis near Boyd Mountain. Smoke may be visible from St. Regis and Highway 200. 

Yesterday was a successful day of prescribed fire operations across many of our districts, work will continue today, pending conditions. 

Missoula Ranger District: Fire managers plan to burn up to 45 acres of hand piles on the Granite Graves project located 2.5 miles up the Howard Creek Road.  Smoke may be visible from Highway 12. 

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District:  Firefighters will burn up to 20 acres of piles located  3 miles northwest of Paradise. Smoke may be visible from Paradise and Highway 200.

Seeley Lake Ranger District: Firefighters will conduct up to 5 acres of piles located 11 miles north of Seeley Lake in the Alva Campground.  Smoke may be visible from Ovando and Highway 200.