Lion Fire spreads north in Wilderness

The Lion Fire, ignited by lightning on Sept. 24, has grown to approximately 8,100 acres, the U.S. Forest Service reported. The fire is burning northward from Lion Meadow within the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Sequoia National Forest. Most of the fire’s spread has been through areas previously burned in the 2011 Lion Fire and 2006 Tamarack Fire.

Firefighters are conducting firing operations along the ground and using a Plastic Sphere Dispenser from a helicopter to strategically keep the fire from spreading beyond identified containment lines. These efforts will reduce the threat of fire to property and natural resources in and near the wilderness.

“Most importantly, this suppression tactic keeps the firefighters safe from standing dead trees (snags) from previous fires and drought caused tree mortality,” stated Incident Commander Jack Medina.

The fire continues to burn actively upslope, driven by wind, steep terrain, standing dead trees, and scattered debris. Forest managers closed several trails to keep hikers from walking into the fire area. A map of the closure area is posted on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5626/.

Crews are implementing structure protection by constructing fireline and firing out ground fuels around the structures. They continue to utilize Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to maintain the natural character of the wilderness. Efforts to contain the fire will be made along routes where firefighters can work safely while avoiding stands of dead trees and inaccessible terrain.

Nearby communities should anticipate smoke settling into the valleys and canyons in the late evening and early morning hours because inversion patterns normally hold the smoke in low-lying areas.