UPCOMING STORM / ACCESS
Good news/bad news - rain and snow.
I'm sure everyone is watching the weather and seeing the very large storm that is about to beset the community. I know it will be tempting to be in Mineral King to see the beautiful deep snow over the holiday. Please don't.
If the weather forecast holds out, we're looking at a potential of 9 inches of RAIN around Lookout Point, where the high severity burn occurred. I anticipate our maintenance staff is going to be engaged in emergency actions surrounding Lodgepole, Ash Mountain, and Grant Grove where full time residents live. We are preparing for our residents to potentially have to shelter in place while we clear mudslides that have become so much more common since the KNP Complex. With the forecast going for days with little break in precipitation, if you should find yourself in Mineral King and stuck because we lose the road, it may take a week or longer to find a way to extract you.
Worst case scenario, we lose a portion of the road entirely. Vehicles behind the road will not be accessible for months. People left behind may have to walk out. With the rain, clouds, and fog, we will not be able to bring in a helicopter. They cannot lift off from Fresno when it is foggy. Rescue staff is likely to be engaged in other operations.
Do yourself (and park staff) a favor - stay out of MK until after the event. We're going to be very busy.
Thanks,
Dave Fox
Sequoia District Ranger
559-565-3710 office
559-565-3195 24-hour emergency operations center
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