Creek Fire

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Fresno County: SOUTH ZONE

Active burning was once again observed on the South Zone of the Creek Fire overnight with some timber torching and short-range spotting.  Heavier fuels (timber) and dense fuel beds will smolder for an extended period of time.

There was moderate humidity recovery overnight and downslope winds were felt within the fire.  Smoke that has settled in low lying areas will struggle to mix out of the area due to light winds today.  Beginning today, a weather system bringing higher and hot temperatures arrives in the region with lower humidity.  This will last into next week. 

Areas where fire behavior will be most active will be south of Mount Tom towards the Portal Forebay and east towards the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness.  Operational priorities for fire resources on the South Zone of the Creek Fire will be ensuring mop-up near the existing fire perimeter helps hold containment.  Personnel will also work to improve and build remaining containment lines, and provide tactical patrol including the extinguishment of hot spots and preparing any threatened structures for defense.  
 
 

Madera County: NORTH ZONE

Weather conditions will change with a high-pressure system moving across the area starting tonight. This will shift winds to the northeast which will produce a light to moderate down-sloping wind. Temperatures are also expected to climb starting Sunday and into next week and return day-time high temperatures to the 90’s. Expect smoke conditions to increase along the 41 Road Corridor.

Yesterday Air Operations successfully used the aerial ignition device dispensed by helicopter in the Whiskey Falls area.  This devise is called a PSD (plastic sphere dispenser), it is a compact and dependable aerial ignition devise used in areas that are too dangerous for firefighters.  The hazards in the area are the dead trees that are falling in that area. The tactical back-burning in the areas of Central Camp and Whiskey Falls was finished last night and crews will remain in the area to strengthen and work toward containment.

The Marines are supporting the firefighting efforts in the Cascadel and Central Camp areas.

With the change in anticipated wind direction to a northeast flow due to a high-pressure system moving into the area, all helicopters are now based at the Mammoth Lakes Airport. This relocation is not a result of any increased threat of fire progression.

At its closest distance, the fire was measured to be about 10-12 miles west of Mammoth Lakes. The visual inspection verified that the natural barriers and the previous Lions fire (2017) burn scar do appear to be limiting fire spread in the north-eastern flank. Conditions continue to be monitored very closely by emergency officials. Additional information is available via the Sierra National Forest Facebook page, or the below link:

https://creek-fire-preparednessmonomammoth.hub.arcgis.com.

Once again, with the increased use of air resources, please respect the Temporary Flight Restriction. The use of drones is not permitted over the fire area. A drone incursion will result in the grounding of all firefighting aircraft. Remember, "If you fly - We can't."