Still Growing
Sequoia Complex has burned 23,625 acres Evacuation order issued for Ponderosa
The Sequoia Complex Fire, which includes the Castle Fire and the Shotgun Fire in the Golden Trout Wilderness, has burned 23,625 acres as of Friday afternoon.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued on Friday for people in the following areas: Ponderosa, Cedar Slope, Pyles Boys Camp and points in between.
For evacuees who need somewhere to go, a temporary evacuation point has been set up by the Red Cross at Porterville College’s Jamison Stadium at Gate 2.
As of now, the areas of Camp Nelson, Rodgers Camp, Coy Flat and Mountain Air are under an Evacuation Warning, basically meaning those areas need to be prepared to evacuate.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said he “wants to ask everyone to take the orders seriously. If you’ve been told to evacuate, please do so. It’s for your safety and that of your family.”
The Castle Fire has burned 23,293 acres and there is still 0 percent containment. On Thursday, the fire crossed the Kern River making strong runs towards Overlook Mountain and Kern Ridge.
A full engagement to suppress, contain and confine the fire has been employed using hand crews, bulldozers and aircraft. Firefighters are constructing a primary line using existing roads and trail systems to stop the fire from advancing to the south.
Tulare County Fire Department is assisting and providing considerable fire resource support, the Sequoia National Forest stated.
Crews will also be inserted at the eastern and western edges of the fire and addressing protection for remote structures and other values,” the forest service stated.
As of Friday there were 323 personnel working on the Sequoia Complex, with additional resources still on order.
The Shotgun Fire, located where Pistol Creek and Shotgun Creek converge in the Golden Trout Wilderness, had burned to 332 acres as of Friday. The fire is burning in rough rocky terrain and has continued to grow. At this time, the Shotgun Fire continues to be monitored by air resources.
The forest service has issued a Sequoia Complex Fire area road and trails closure for the protection of the public and firefighters suppressing the fire.
Fire behavior can be unpredictable, and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and avoid of all areas that could be impacted,” the forest service stated.
The forest service stated prioritized areas for protection include the President George H.W. Bush Tree; Camp Whitsett which has numerous valuable Native American archeological artifacts; Peppermint Fire Station; Pacific Fisher habitats; and the Mountain Yellowlegged Frong and Little Kern Golden Trout Critical Habitats.
Other prioritized areas are: Forks of the Kern Trailhead; Jerky Mountain Trailhead; Facilities and Trails within Trout Meadow; structures and facilities along the Lloyd Meadow Road; and grazing cattle west of north road.
Light winds north and northwest winds were experienced through much of the morning hours on Thursday. Winds speeds were generally 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. Temperatures ranged in
the upper 70s to low 90s.
Smoke and widespread air quality impacts from the California wildfires and Sequoia Fire Complex remain aconcern. To assist with public air quality issues, an Air Resource Advisor has been assigned to the Sequoia Complex.
For information about air quality, smoke conditions, and health effects, visit https:// wildlandfiresmoke. net/outlooks/southernsierra-sequoia, www.valleyair.org or visit www.airnow.gov. Visitors to the Forest will continue to see smoke, active fire, and firefighters during the next few weeks. “Please drive slowly and carefully,” the forest service stated.