2020 Fire Restrictions Removed in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Theune, Fire Information Officer Phone Number: 559-565-3703 E-mail: mike_theune@nps.gov

Reference Number: 8550-2037

2020 Fire Restrictions Removed in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. December 22, 2020 – Effective at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will no longer be in fire restrictions.   This decision was made following a determination by the parks’ superintendent and fire management officials that risk from unwanted human-caused wildfires has been greatly reduced. Therefore, campfires and charcoal barbeques can once again be allowed in all open designated areas of the parks.   Even with cooler temperatures and higher levels of moisture in plants this time of year, visitors should be extra careful when having a campfire, cooking, and smoking. One less spark, means one less fire.   “Please remember to put out all fires before leaving the area or going to sleep,” said Clay Jordan, Superintendent for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.”   Additional fire restrictions for backpackers are in place for wilderness travel to reduce impacts on fragile alpine ecosystems. Refer to the parks’ minimum impact restrictions online for specific location information at https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/minimum-impact-restrictions.htm   Additionally, fire-related closures in Sequoia National Park from this year’s Castle Fire and Rattlesnake Fire are still in place. Both fires remain uncontained and interior areas of smoke, flame, and hazard trees have been observed. For more information on closure specifics, please refer to https://go.nps.gov/2020sequoiafireclosures For information on the other fire restriction stage levels, please visit https://go.nps.gov/sekifirerestrictions   Downloadable / Printable PDF (188 Kb) of this news release.

Giving Tuesday

Tomorrow (December 1) is #GivingTuesday! This year the Mineral King Preservation Society is raising funds for repairs to the Honeymoon Cabin. They will be replacing a window, some siding, entrance steps and working on the roof. They are incredibly lucky to have wonderful volunteers to cover the labor but we need your help for the supplies. The link below will take you directly to the MKPS website where you can make a secure donation to this campaign.

We know this has been a very hard year and many of you may not be in a place where you can make a financial contribution. We would appreciate your help in getting the word out and sharing this! You can also contact us if you are interested in volunteering on the work days for the repairs.

Thank you!

https://mineralking.org/donate/

Photo by Sharon Devol, 2020

Fwd: Updates

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Fox, Dave P <Dave_Fox@nps.gov>
Date: Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 2:33 PM
Subject: Updates

Friends,

I am just returning to the park from some much needed leave to find that roughly a foot of snow has fallen around the fire in the Hockett area. That should set everyone's minds at ease for the Castle Fire. While it's possible for the fire to continue burning in the duff and under sheltered areas, it no longer threatens the Mineral King valley. The team is currently winding down operations and preparing to hand the fire management back to the park. There are some great snowy views on the web cams.

I know this was a rather stressful time for all of us, and a great reminder of why prescribed fire is so important. When you look at the Castle Fire footprint, it seems odd where it just stopped burning on its own until you overlay recent fire history. You can see that in this photo below (red and orange indicate fires in the last 15 years, yellow is Castle.)

While no one likes to breathe smoke, you can definitely see the impact previous fires have on current fire growth. This is why I was feeling confident that this fire would never truly threaten these cabins. This picture shows the last 20 years of our prescribed fire history in the park. These fires may be inconvenient at the time, but the fire science shows that regular fire application will prevent catastrophic fires. 

We relaxed the closure in the Mineral King Valley as well. We are now on normal winter rules. I'm hopeful that we will be able to climb back out of pandemic rules as well before next summer and open up for regular business in May. Have a great winter, and let me know if you have any questions. 

Thanks, 

Dave Fox

Sequoia District Ranger

559-565-3710 office

559-565-3195 24 hour emergency

Col. Charles Young, Early Superintendent of Sequoia Park

Here's a brief story about a remarkable man, Col. Charles Young, member of the Buffalo Soldiers, and early superintendent of the Sequoia and Grant Grove Parks.

Read his story here.

Fwd: News Release - Autumn Weather Allows Parks to Lower to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in 2020

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Fire Information Office Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks News Release For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Theune, Fire Information Officer Phone Number: 559-565-3703 E-mail: mike_theune@nps.gov   Reference Number: 8550-2034 Autumn Weather Allows Parks to Lower to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in 2020 SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. November 4, 2020– Changes in long-term weather patterns and transition of seasons, along with the decrease in overall visitation has reduced the threat of unwanted human-caused fires in higher elevation areas of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks allowing the fire managers to reduce fire restrictions.  While some areas are able to once again have campfires, the threat is not gone, especially at lower elevations. This year has seen record setting fire activity and until the parks get significant rainfall and snow, visitors to the parks must remain extra cautious with anything that could cause a fire.  "Sierra Nevada weather can change quickly, especially this time of the year," conveyed Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Incident Meteorologist Ashley Occhipinti. "Starting at the foothills to the most visited giant sequoia groves, visitors should expect around a twenty-degree difference in temperatures." These fire restrictions cover areas of the parks that remain closed at this time but are included in preparation that all areas may be open while fire restrictions are in effect. Fire restrictions may also be extended or modified due to changes in fire danger and conditions within the parks.   "Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been impacted both directly and indirectly by 2020's long fire year," stated John Ziegler, Parks Fire Management Officer. "By practicing fire safe habits, you can help protect these parks for future generations." Therefore, directed by the Superintendent of the parks, the following Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be effective at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Potwisha, Buckeye, and South Fork campgrounds. All fires and stoves are allowed in all other campgrounds. Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited below 6,000 feet in wilderness. Year-round elevation/site-specific wilderness fire restrictions also apply. Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Hospital Rock and Ash Mountain picnic areas. All fires and stoves are allowed in all other designated picnic areas. Smoking is also prohibited below 6,000 feet, except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed, or a designated smoking area. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are still permitted in all areas. For information on the other fire restriction stage levels, please visit https://go.nps.gov/sekifirerestrictions Printable version of this news release (PDF-264kb)  - 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. - ### - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks  47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271 FAX: 559 565-3730 | Phone: 559-565-3341 | www.nps.gov/seki STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271

Wilderness Closures in Sequoia National Park Reduced in Size

From: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Fire Information Office <seki_fire_info@nps.gov>
Date: November 2, 2020 at 2:23:28 PM PST
Subject: News Release - Wilderness Closures in Sequoia National Park Reduced in Size
Reply-To: seki_fire_info@nps.gov



National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Fire Information Office Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks News Release For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Theune Fire Information Officer Phone Number: 559-565-3703 E-mail: mike_theune@nps.gov   Reference Number: 8550-2033 Wilderness Closures in Sequoia National Park Reduced in Size SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. November 2, 2020 – With containment increasing across area fires, the wilderness closures in Sequoia National Park are being reduced in size to allow for more access. The SQF Complex no longer poses an imminent threat to the Mineral King valley or the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River drainage. The Rattlesnake Fire growth has not shown new growth to the north and east and has slowed overall to the south and west. This change in closure rescinds and replaces the larger closure of area within Sequoia National Park in the Kaweah, Tule, and Kern River drainages enacted September 30, 2020. A map and description of the new closure area is attached with this news release. As of September 20th, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are outside of the permit quota season. Permits are still required for all overnight wilderness travel, and they can be self-issued at self-issue stations located throughout the parks. "These free permits are extremely important this time of year due to variable weather conditions," said Erik Frenzel, Wilderness Coordinator for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. "Self-reliance and preparedness for the unexpected is of the utmost importance." In the areas that remain closed, hazardous conditions persist within and around the fires, including open flames, smoldering fuels, rolling rocks and logs, tree hazards, and firefighting activities. "Despite this long fire year, we've reached a point where we can safely open more of the wilderness," shared John Ziegler, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Fire Management Officer. "Please be respectful of the remaining closures for your safety and that of our firefighting resources." These changes in wilderness closures coincides with the changes in wilderness and area closures announced by the Inyo National Forest. For more information about these changes, especially if your route takes you to or from the Inyo National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo/ Fire restrictions are in effect for areas within both Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and the surrounding National Forest lands. Please be sure to check each jurisdictions' website before starting your trip as fire restrictions may be different. For more information and the latest information, please visit the parks' current conditions webpage at https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm A downloadable copy of the Determination to Change Closure Document (PDF - 2.3 MB) PDF version of this news release (PDF - 230 KB)  - 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. - ### - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks  47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271 FAX: 559 565-3730 | Phone: 559-565-3341 | www.nps.gov/seki STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌

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