Sheriff Boudreaux has downgraded Nelson Drive area from Evacuation Order to a Voluntary Evacuation Warning
Nelson Drive, from the intersection of Nelson Drive and Skyline to the end of Nelson Drive.
A Voluntary Evacuation Warning means people living in the area are able to return to their homes, but should still be ready to evacuate should fire conditions change.
Crews continue to work and travel in the area. Please do not travel into these communities, as extra traffic can impact the ability for crews to quickly get in and out of the fire area.
At this time, only residents are allowed to return.
All remaining Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Warnings remain in place.
The smoke inversion cleared over the fire, allowing for helicopter missions dropping water and retardant. Seven air tankers worked the Northern area on Saturday. Fire crews on the ground were supported by 64 hours of flight time on Saturday by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, dropping 135,000 gallons of retardant. Sunday provided similar weather with cooling and wind, providing more opportunities for flights. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) has been ordered to assist with tactical firing.
Today through Thursday, warmer weather will return, and humidity will increase. Air operations will be weather dependent due to smoke.
Structural defense, which includes a hose and portable pump to operate a sprinkler system, is in place for the Peck’s Cabin. Mings cabin is being assessed.
A Spike camp, a secondary primitive camp site for a fire crews and supported by the main camp, has been set up in the Slick Rock area near Three Rivers. This provides for better efficiency of time and resources.
A mobile retardant base was set up in Three Rivers, this enables aircraft to reload closer to the fireline. Residents will continue to see and hear helicopters in the area. The communities of Sequoia Crest and Cedar Slope remain a high priority and is being evaluated for potential return of the residents. Crews and aircraft will continue to monitor these areas.
The Regional Emergency Fire Restrictions (Regional Order No. 2021) remains in place and is extended to Oct. 15.
Tulare County Officials are allowing property owners into Alpine Village, Sequoia Crest and Redwood Drive today Sunday, October 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. to provide shortterm access to survey damage and assess their properties. Check in will take place at the Local Assistance Center (LAC) at 1055 W. Henderson in Porterville starting at 8:00 am. After checking in and verification of information, property owners will proceed to Camp Nelson Fire Station to be escorted into their community. Everyone will be escorted out of the area at 2 pm. Only one vehicle per property will be allowed. For more information visit: www. Tularecounty.ca.gov/
As residents return to the areas that have been opened, it is extremely important that they remain clear of all closure areas. Activities, such as wood gathering, and hunting are not allowed within the forest closure. For more information visit: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/post-wildfire/returninghome/.
Tulare County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order on October 6 for everything south of the intersection of the Cinnamon Canyon Road and South Fork Drive, including Cinnamon Canyon. South Fork Drive needs to remain available for fire crews and heavy equipment access from Highway 198 to Cinnamon Canyon Road. Please drive with caution.
Camp Nelson, Pierpoint, Ponderosa, Coy Flat, Doyle Springs, Rogers Camp, and Mountain Aire are under an Evacuation Warning. Mountain Home Camp, South Fork Drive Area, Alpine Village, Cedar Slope, Pyles Boys Camp, Redwood Drive, and Sequoia Crest are under an evacuation order. For more information visit: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/recovers/.
Tulare County has a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at the Government Plaza, 1055 West Henderson Avenue, Porterville, CA. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. A satellite LAC is open in Camp Nelson on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Evacuations: • Evacuation Orders, Map and Warnings for Tulare County.
• Tulare County has a structure assessment form for evacuees affected by the fire to provide contact information for County officials as the damage assessment continues. An interactive map showing damaged structures is available.
• Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency hotline for affected citizens – (559) 802-9790
• The Red Cross has evacuation centers at Porterville Community College and the North Exeter Community Building. Also, call the Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS. Closures: • Sequoia National Forest closure of area north of Tulare/kern county line: Forest Order 051320-34 SQF Western Divide and Kern River Ranger Districts Complex Fire Area, Trail, and Road Closure
• Regional Emergency Fire Restrictions are in place: Regional Order No. 20-21 https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd821778.pdf
• The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Office has issued a temporary emergency closure.
• Road closures due to the SQF Complex may be found by clicking here.
• The Temporary Flight Restriction (9/19/20) may be found here. Drones are prohibited.
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are open except for a large portion of the wilderness in Sequoia National Park due to wildfire. For more information please visit www.nps.gov/seki
Smoke: Current air quality may be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/
Alert: To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events sign up at alerttc.com
Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Southern California Edison, Tulare County Fire, Tulare County Sheriff, Tulare County OES, Tulare County Roads, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Conservation Corps, California Office of Emergency Services, AT&T, Verizon, California Department of Transportation, California Air National Guard, and California National Guard. CONAFOR, Mexico.
California Statewide Fire Summary
More than 13,400 firefighters continue to work towards containment on 21 major wildfires across the state. Several of the fires are over 95% contained and no growth is expected, yet full containment likely wouldn’t be reached until rainfall occurs. On Saturday, firefighters responded to 19 new wildfires, all of which were quickly contained.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 8,400 wildfires that have burned well over 4 million acres in California. To date, the total number of fatalities statewide is 31 and more than 9,200 structures have been destroyed.
A return to dry and warm conditions begins today as high pressure strengthens across the state. In some areas in Southern California, temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees above normal early in the week. Breezy conditions accompanying this weather pattern will increase fire danger statewide.
California historically experiences some of the most devastating wildfires in the months of September and October. Do not let your guard down! To learn more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www. Readyforwildfire.org.