Single Publication

Windy Fire Update
September 14, 2021

The Windy Fire is 1,454 acres with 0% containment. This fire is east of Porterville and burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest.  The northern fire perimeter is south of Crawford Creek; the southern perimeter is backing down towards Cedar Creek, the western perimeter is east of the 212 Road on the Tule River Indian Reservation and the eastern side is a mile west of the Summit Trail this morning on the Sequoia National Forest.  Fire growth yesterday was in a southeast direction. The inversion layer today is expected to moderate fire behavior until early afternoon. Warmer air in the afternoon will dry out fuels and fire activity will likely increase. 

The Windy Fire has spread into a portion of the Peyrone Sequoia Grove.  Some of the fire behavior observed has been low-intensity; it will be several days before a preliminary assessment of fire effects on the sequoia grove can be accomplished due to the inaccessibility of the grove.

Firefighters - as always - are working strategically on this fire.  With high demand for firefighters in the west this season, resources are in short supply.  Firefighters will fight this fire directly when it is safe and sensible to do so but are also scouting and building indirect line around the fire.

Tule River Indian Reservation residents and those in and near the communities of Johnsondale, Camp Nelson and Ponderosa are asked to continue monitoring the progress of this fire.  Tulare County residents, if you have not already signed up for AlertTC at AlertTC.com, now is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of your county’s emergency notification system.

Forest Closure in Effect 

The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has announced a temporary closure of eighteen National Forests for public and firefighter safety. This includes the Sequoia National Forest. This closure will be effective through September 17, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., and may be reassessed as conditions change. The full closure order and closure map are available at https://go.usa.gov/xF7EM