Pier Fire has consumed over 30,000 acres
The Pier Fire eclipsed 30,000 acres burned Monday night and is expected to be fully contained by Sept. 20, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
As of approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Pier Fire was at 30,390 total acres burned and was at 60 percent containment. A total 1,650 personnel, 34 crews, eight helicopters, 123 engines, 18 dozers and 15 water tenders are working to contain the fire. The fire began on Aug. 29.
Fire suppression repair continued along dozer lines on the northern perimeter of the fire, said Denise Alonzo, the public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service. Crews continued to mop-up and patrol fireline on the eastern edge near Camp Nelson.
Alonzo said there was a small spot fire — approximately 6 acres — near Pierpoint Springs on the south side of Highway 190. The spot fire was contained using helicopters and hand crews. She noted that the spot was monitored and mopped-up Tuesday to ensure it remained contained.
Alonzo said firefighters continued to patrol and mopup containment line along Forest Road 21S94 between Coy Flat Campground and Rogers Camp.
On the eastern perimeter of the fire, Alonzo said there may be increased smoke due to interior pockets of vegetation burning. Firing operations continued Tuesday along the 2 1/4 Road south toward Pine Flat Road on the Tule River Indian Reservation.
Alonzo said firefighters also conducted a firing operation along Cow Mountain Road. Smoke and fire was visible within containment lines as interior pockets of vegetation continued to burn.
The rain that fell on the fire Monday night, Alonzo said, was concentrated primarily on the eastern edge of the fire, and didn’t hamper any burning operations on the southern edge.
Alonzo said a low pressure system moved northward Tuesday along the coast and will then move inland across Central California today. A south to southwest flow aloft will allow for one more day of a thunderstorm threat. However, she said the greatest threat will remain east of the
fire on Tuesday.
Temperatures, Alonzo said, were 85 to 90 degrees below 3,000 feet. Relative humidity ranged from 30 to 35 percent, and noted that winds were out of the southeast from 3-6 mph.
Communities currently under a mandatory evacuation include Sequoia Crest, Mountain Aire, Rogers Camp, Pierpoint Springs, Cedar Slope, Camp Nelson, Doyle Springs, Alpine Village and Wishon.
Alonzo said 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.
Cow Mountain Road at its intersection with Rio Vista Road is closed to all traffic. Highway 190 east of Springville is closed at Upper Rio Vista Road to eastbound traffic, and Highway 190 north of Ponderosa is closed at Forest Road 21S50 to westbound traffic.