Pier Fire is 55% contained
Containment of the Pier Fire continues to grow and Sunday morning was at 55 percent, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
The fire burning in the Tule River Canyon above Springville consumed another 1,000 acres Saturday night. Total acres burned stood at 26,748 with firefighters continuing to hold and secure firelines. The fire has been burning since Aug. 29.
With firelines in place, firing operations will be a used when appropriate to control the spread of the fire.
Saturday night firefighters continued to make good progress, the U.S. Forest Service stated. Firefighters mopped up and patrolled areas on the east and northern edge of the fire. The areas near Sequoia Crest were patrolled and monitored for hot spots. Firefighters will continue firing operations from the northeast boundary of the Tule River Indian Reservation southwest to the 2 1/4 Road toward the Pine Flat area.
Firefighters will continue working along Forest Road 21S94 from Rogers Camp to Coy Flat Campground. Firing operations will also continue north along hand and dozer lines toward Highway 190 west of Pierpoint Springs, the U.S. Forest Service stated. These firing operations will bring increased smoke into the general area in and around the fire’s perimeter.
Approximately 1,400 firefighters are working in the field, directly suppressing the fire, protecting structures and establishing containment. There are currently no voluntary evacuations.
The following communities are under mandatory evacuation: Sequoia Crest, Mountain Aire, Rogers Camp, Pierpoint Springs, Cedar Slope, Camp Nelson, Doyle Springs, Alpine Village and Wishon.
Sequoia National Forest trails, roads and lands around the Pier Fire are closed. Cal Fire has closed Mountain Home State Forest and Tulare County has closed Balch Park.
Hard road closures remain in effect for Cow Mountain Road at its intersection with Rio Vista Road; Highway 190 east of Springville is closed at Upper Rio Vista to eastbound traffic; and Highway 190 north of Ponderosa is closed at Forest Road 21S50 to westbound traffic.