Lion Fire grows by 600 acres
The Lion Fire has grown to 12,850 acres after burning an estimated 600 acres on Monday, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
Three crews spiked out Monday night and continued to prep the summit trail making it to Jacobson Meadow. On Tuesday, three new incoming relief hotshot crews were expected to continue prep work along the southern control line protecting values at risk.
The fire, burning in the Lion Meadow of the Golden Trout Wilderness, was at zero percent containment and had 221 people assigned to battle the blaze.
No aerial ignition occurred Monday, officials reported, adding they are working closely with the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) to continue with some aerial ignition, providing that the fire does not greatly impact air quality.
“A defensive firing operation allows for the mitigation of known and anticipated hazards, reducing fuels ahead of the fire while providing our firefighters the highest probability of success,” stated Jack Medina, Lion Fire Incident Commander.
Fire crews have implemented structure defense measures by constructing fireline around structures at Grey Meadow and Trout Meadow, officials reported.
The current suppression strategy remains to keep the fire in a planned area, using natural barriers and existing trails, keeping new control line construction to a minimum.
“This strategy combined with defensive firing allows for the mitigation of known and anticipated hazards, reducing fuels ahead of the fire providing our firefighters the highest probability of success,” stated Medina.
The fire continues to burn actively, driven by wind, standing dead trees, and scattered debris from previous wildfires, officials reported. Forest managers have closed several trails to keep hikers and hunters, from walking into the fire area. Information and a map of the closure area are available online at inciweb.nwcg.gov.