SQF Complex

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Fire personnel in the Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are now managing the 174,178-acre SQF Complex. This lightning-caused Castle and Shotgun Fires were discovered on August 19, 2020, and later managed as one incident named the SQF Complex. The Castle Fire burned on portions of the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument (129,975 acres), Inyo National Forest (12,283 acres), Sequoia National Park (18,292 acres), lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (728 acres), State (4,036 acres), County, and private lands (4,726 acres) and threatened the Tule River Indian Reservation. 

Containment of the SQF Complex has increased to 90% for the portion of the fire managed by the Sequoia National Forest. Due to limited access to the fires edge in remote locations, full containment is not expected until it can be assessed on the ground. Most uncontained lines are at higher elevations where natural barriers have stopped the spread, and winter conditions will likely extinguish any remaining hot spots.  

Currently, heavy equipment work is nearing completion due to winter-time conditions. Much work is left to be done on fire suppression repair; heavy equipment is anticipated to return in the spring to continue this effort. Crews are making good progress on road-side chipping, suppression repair work has been completed in the Grouse Valley and Blue Ridge areas. These efforts will now move to the Ponderosa area until winter weather arrives.   

As dry weather continues, hot spots still smolder within the Castle Fire burned area. Firefighters are patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter, extinguishing hot spots that could spread beyond containment lines. Two helicopters remain available for needs on the Castle Fire, with all fire resources available for initial attack on any new fires that erupt nearby. Last week, fire activity increased in the Rattlesnake Fire burning in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Inyo National Forest.

Forest officials have extended the closure of Sequoia National Forest managed land near the Castle Fire through December 31, 2020.  Despite cooler temperatures, hot spots continue to smolder and burn through dry vegetation. This creates hazardous conditions for anyone walking through the burned area such as smoldering stump holes and fire weakened trees. Highway 190, the Western Divide Highway and Mtn. road 50 over Parker Pass remain open to through travel.  Trail of 100 Giants is open for day use until winter weather makes it necessary for Tulare County to close the Western Divide Highway and Mtn. Road 50 over Parker Pass.

An Interagency Emergency Task Force is working on preparations by establishing trigger points for flash floods and debris flow, and cleaning debris from culverts and drains to minimize impacts. 
 
ORDERS, CLOSURES AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE: 

Tulare County has a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at the Government Plaza, 1055 West Henderson Avenue, Porterville, CA. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The Tulare County Local Assistance Center (LAC) Hotline for affected citizens is 559-802-9790.  

For more information visit: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/recovers/  or the  FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center 

USDA Forest Service Information - Sequoia National Forest or Inyo National Forest

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park - Current Conditions

Southern California Edison (SCE) is working to safely and quickly restore power. Call 1 800 250-7339 or Check www.sce.com/safety/assistance-center. 
 
Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest - https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/demonstration-state-forests/mountain-home/

Smoke: Current air quality may be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/ . 

Alert: To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events sign up at alerttc.com

Safety Message: Prepare for the possibility of fire in advance, visit www.ready.gov/wildfires. 

We appreciate the outpouring of gratitude from the public and community organizations for our firefighters, including CONAFOR Fire Crews from Mexico and the United States. For those who would like the opportunity to thank our firefighters, you can tag us on Facebook at @sequoiaforest or send cards to: Sequoia National Forest Headquarters, ATTN: SQF Complex Firefighters, 1839 South Newcomb Street Porterville, CA 93257. Please note we are only accepting cards and thank you for your support.