Single Publication

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BLUE TEAM

Mark Morales – Incident Commander
KNP Complex Update - September 22, 2021

Acres: 28,328 acres (based on infrared flight)
Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 11, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
Resources: 1,412 personnel including 42 crews, 55 engines, 20 water tenders, and 8 helicopters

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park. The highest priority for operations is the protection of life and property within Sequoia National Park, the Sequoia National Forest and surrounding communities. The second highest priority is the protection of the Giant Forest followed by park infrastructure. There has been about 1,399 acres of growth on the fire in the last 24 hours.

In the area of Paradise Ridge, firefighters are working to stop the fire from spreading south. In the southwest section of the park near Ash Mountain, CALFIRE is continuing to reinforce control and contingency lines in the event that fire moves out into flatter terrain. Resources in the northwest section and the King’s Canyon area has greatly increased. Firefighters are taking advantage of existing surface fuels treatments and building dozer and mastication lines.

Firefighters are engaged in areas where the fire moved across Generals Highway to ensure the fire doesn’t begin moving toward the Lodgepole area. For the past several days, four crews of California Army National Guard troops (about 80 individuals) have been assisting with mop up operations in the Wuksachi Village area to protect the lodge and surrounding buildings. Work is continuing in the Giant Forest to make sure the fire doesn’t progress further to the east, and control operations are occurring to keep the fire to the west of the Generals Highway.

Weather will continue to be warmer and drier with light winds today. The potential for smoke clearing could allow active fire behavior, and air operations will take advantage of any improved visibilities with priority on the Paradise Ridge, Ash Mountain, and Crystal Cave areas.

A community meeting will be held today at the Three Rivers Memorial Building located at 43490 Sierra Dr. at 7 p.m.

There have been no changes to evacuation warnings or orders at this time, but residents in areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order. Explore a map of the areas under an evacuation warning or order, as well as other evacuation resources, at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia National Park is closed to the public and large portions of Kings Canyon National Park have now been closed.

Communities further from the parks are also feeling air quality impacts. Track your local air quality at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra-Sequoia.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

FIRE INFORMATION:
MEDIA: (559) 492-9967 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); PUBLIC: (559) 492-9988; EMAIL: 2021.KNP@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @SequoiaKingsNPS