Monday, October 4, 2021

Weather Forecast for Mineral King as of 10/4/2021

 



Source: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-118.61753940582275&lat=36.45283903721379#.YVsi7prMKUl


New Evacuation Orders Underway For KNP Complex Fire

Tulare County Sheriff Boudreaux has issued an evacuation order for the following residences in the Mineral King area, Gateway, to the Park Entrance including Sycamore Dr.

The area will include Mineral King Rd from Highway 198 to the Oak Grove Bridge, including Crest, Sierra King, Hammond, and Oak Grove. There will be a road closure at Highway 198 at Mineral King Rd.

The Evacuation Order will include: Mineral King Dr up to the Sequoia National Park Boundary, including associated structures along both sides of HWY 198 to the Park Boundary. Including, Oak Grove Bridge down to HWY 198, including Sierra King Dr, Crest Lane, Hammond Dr, Oak Grove Dr. Not including Dinely Dr.

Evacuation WARNINGS still remain in place for all structures from Old Three Rivers Rd and Blossom Dr to South Fork Dr, including South Fork Dr up HWY 198 to Mineral King Dr, including North Fork Dr, also including all side roads along HWY 198 to Mineral King Dr.

Please refer to https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ KNP Complex Evacuation Area Map for more information.


Sunday, October 3, 2021

Fwd: News Release - KNP Complex Update - October 2, 2021


SOUTHWEST AREA TYPE 1 INCIDENT TEAM 2
Dave Bales - Incident Commander
KNP Complex Update – October 3, 2021
Acres: 62,761 acres (based on infrared flight)
Containment: 20%
Start Date: September 10, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 1,357 personnel including: 26 crews, 61 engines, 40 water tenders, 21 dozers and 12 helicopters

Firefighters had another successful day because the smoke inversion kept fire activity from becoming extreme. Tactical firing operations continued along the northwest perimeter. Structure protection efforts are on-going for the communities of Eshom and Hartland. Crews on the northern flank progressed through Redwood Mountain Grove conducting firing operations to secure lines and minimize potential future fire impacts. Resources along Generals Highway progressed north to Cabin Creek with successful tactical firing operations as well.

Today, firefighters anticipate similar conditions depending on how weather and smoke lift out later in the day. Structure protection and tactical firing operations continue on the northwest corner of the fire. As conditions permit, crews will progress with tactical firing operations within the Redwood Mountain Grove and north of Cabin Creek along Generals Highway. Firefighters on the eastern flank continue securing the Giant Forest Grove while also supporting strategic firing operations to the north. On the southern perimeter, firefighters continue indirect suppression tactics improving Mineral King Rd. Resources are being shifted to the community of Silver City and the Mineral King area for structure protection as the fire continues to move south and east. Firefighters on the southwest edge remain in the communities of Three Rivers and Ash Mountain. Additional federal, state, and local resources are arriving, supporting firefighting efforts and being placed where needed. Aviation assets are available to support ground personnel as smoke and visibility permits.

Active fire behavior is expected as a ridge of high pressure remains over the fire bringing continued hot, dry, and smoky conditions. Humidity levels are expected to remain low while winds will continue to be light and terrain driven.

Evacuation warnings and orders are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Detailed evacuation information for Tulare County can be found at: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ and for Fresno County at: https://www.facebook.com/FresnoSheriff.
 
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.

Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.
 
Fire Information:
PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967
FACEBOOK:
INSTAGRAM:
TWITTER:
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

KNO Complex Fire update, 10/3/21, 8:30 a.m.

KNP Complex Video Briefing for Saturday 10/3/2021 by Southwest Area Incident Management Team Operations Section Chief Trainee Clint Remington.

He begins with updates along the Mineral King Road.

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Online meeting tonight, Oct. 2

A virtual Community Meeting for the KNP Complex will be held tonight, October 2 at 7 p.m. There will be no in person attendance. It is virtual only. Join us for the livestream on the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page.

KNP Complex Fire Update, 10/2/2021, 8:30 a.m.

KNP Complex Update – October 2, 2021
Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2
Dave Bales – Incident Commander
Acres: 58,283 acres (based on infrared flight)
Containment: 20%
Start Date: September 10, 2021 Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Resources: 1,345 personnel including: 26 crews, 61 engines, 40 water tenders, 21 dozers and 12 helicopters
Virtual Meeting Today at 7:00 PM streamed on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/SequoiaKingsNPS/live_videos
Yesterday, the northwest flank where the fire crossed the North Fork Kaweah River and the eastern perimeter near Castle Creek Grove experienced the most active fire behavior and new growth. Resources on the northern perimeter initiated successful tactical firing operations in the Redwood Mountain Grove, along the Generals Highway towards Dorst Campground and south of Eshom Point along northwest contingency lines as conditions were favorable. Throughout the night firefighters continued strategic firing operations to secure contingency lines. The fire has burned onto both Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Forest.
Today, low-intensity tactical firing operations will progress within the Redwood Mountain Grove, along the Generals Highway and along northwest contingency lines south of Eshom Point if conditions are favorable. Resources will continue structure protection efforts in the communities of Eshom and Hartland by removing debris away from structures, setting up sprinklers and installing hose lays. Crews east of the Generals Highway along the northern perimeter will work to improve established containment lines working to the east. Firefighters on the eastern flank will continue securing the Giant Forest Grove while also supporting strategic firing operations to the north as needed. As additional resources arrive to the southern perimeter, they will continue with indirect suppression tactics along Mineral King Rd and scout for opportunities to safely engage the fire perimeter directly. The fire is expected to progress further south, down slope towards the road today. Firefighters remain in the communities of Three Rivers and Ash Mountain as an increase in fire behavior was observed yesterday. Along the western perimeter, an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will be utilized to gather information which will be used to inform operational plans. Aircraft will support ground resources as air quality permits.
Humidity recovery was poor overnight and relative humidity levels are expected to remain low today. A ridge of high pressure remains over the fire bringing hot and dry conditions. Winds will be primarily terrain driven and are not expected to surface over the fire until mid-afternoon. Active fire behavior is expected again today.
Evacuation warnings and orders are still active. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Detailed evacuation information for Tulare County can be found at: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/ and for Fresno County at: https://www.facebook.com/FresnoSheriff.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed west of the Pacific Crest Trail and south of the ridgeline which lies north of Ionian Basin. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major portions of the Sequoia National Forest are also closed.
Communities surrounding the park and in the nearby region are being affected by smoke and the resulting poor air quality. Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.
Fire Information:
PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); MEDIA: (559) 492-9967
EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov

Friday, October 1, 2021

KNP Complex Fire Update, 10/1/2021, 8:30 a.m.

KNP Complex Video Briefing for 10/1/2021 by Southwest Area Incident Management Team Operations Section Chief Trainee Clint Remington.

Most focus is on the northwest portion toward Hartland, but he speaks briefly about Mineral King starting at minute 5:05. "No news is good news!"

https://fb.watch/8mWqPAutr0

(Facebook account required to view video. Alternative source of information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838.)

Photo from 9/30/2021, courtesy of http://www.mk-webcam.net