Blaze grows to 6,000 acres; 0 containment
Evacuation orders remain in effect
The Pier Fire, located in the Tule River Canyon above Springville, grew rapidly overnight Tuesday to an estimated 4,655 acres, swelled to 6,000 acres as the sun set Wednesday, the U.S. Forest Service reported, and was at zero percent containment.
Denise Alonzo, the public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service, said no structures were damaged, and noted that the fire’s perimeter was a mile or more away from the nearest structure as of 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Most of the growth was south of the highway toward Black Mountain and the Tule River Indian Reservation. She said the fire is nearing the Black Mountain Grove of giant sequoias near Solo Peak. She said access into this part of the fire is extremely difficult with few roads, heavy fuels, and steep slopes.
More than 660 people have been assigned to the Pier Fire manning 25 hand crews, five aircraft, 65 engines, 15 dozers and six water tenders.
Air support was limited again Wednesday due to smoke lingering in the Tule River Canyon. She said air tankers and helicopters are assigned and will be used as conditions allow to support ground personnel.
Engines have been assigned to areas that were evacuated for structure protection. She
said the Pier Fire burned both north and south of Highway 190 on the Western Divide Ranger District in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest.
Highway 190 is currently closed between Balch Park turnoff above Springville, and Fox Road along the Western Divide Highway below Ponderosa. She said Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest (Cal Fire) and Balch Park (Tulare County) are closed until the fire is brought under control.
Alonzo said communities under a mandatory evacuation order include Pierpoint Springs, Wishon, Doyle Springs, Alpine, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. She said Ponderosa remains under a voluntary evacuation advisory. She added that all residents who are evacuating are advised to use east bound Highway 190 to the Western Divide Highway.
Alonzo said the only evacuation center is in the Student Conference Center at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave.
The U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Tulare County Fire Department are in unified command at this time. She said an Incident Command Team was expected to arrive Wednesday and assume command as of 6 p.m. She said the cause of the fire that started around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday is under investigation.
According to published reports a car went over a cliff and may have caused the fire, but no further details have been made available.
Those wanting more information are encouraged to call 539-2607, ext. 2292 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., or visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ incident/5548.