Firefighters able to protect historic cabin during Walkers Fire
The Walkers Fire reached Soda Butte in Sequoia National Park, near the historic Quinn Patrol Cabin. Firefighter actions to prepare and defend the cabin earlier in the week proved successful. Work continues to strengthen protection of the cabin while the firefight continues to fully suppress the Walkers Fire, now 5,640 acres and 40% contained.
To the north, the Walkers Fire spread further into the Golden Trout Wilderness in Sequoia National Forest. Firefighters are looking for ways to utilize trails and rocky areas for containment efforts there. The Shotgun Fire, part of the SQF Complex, was contained in October 2020. This 841-acre fire scar will be incorporated into containment lines for the Walkers Fire. Meanwhile, work continues to construct a fireline on the west side of the fire.
Prolonged drought adds to critically dry vegetation which increases fire behavior and makes wildfires more difficult to bring under control. Forest Service and Park Service personnel are working side-by-side to coordinate fire suppression efforts across agency boundaries.
Five hand crews and four helicopters are committed to fully suppress the Walkers Fire. The reality on the ground is that there is a finite number of firefighting resources available that must be prioritized throughout the state.
All lands in the Soda Spring Creek Drainage, near Quinn Patrol Cabin and
along the exterior boundary of Sequoia National Park are temporarily closed to all individuals due to the Walkers Fire. https:// www.nps.gov/seki/ planyourvisit/trailcond.htm
The Sequoia National Forest has two closures in effect: Castle Fire area closure in the Western Divide Ranger District and the French Fire area closure in the Kern River and Western Divide Ranger Districts. https://www. fs.usda.gov/sequoia
Additional Walkers Fire information, closure information, pictures, fire history, and a map of the fire area can be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7807/
The French Fire has burned 22,916 acres of grass, brush and timber understory near Sawmill Road and Wagy Flat, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County and is 19% contained.
The fire is exhibiting extreme fire behavior due to dry fuel conditions, gusty winds and long-range spot fires. It is being managed under Unified Command with Kern County Fire Department and a Type 2 Incident Management Team.
Evacuation Order In Effect. Visit Kern County Fire Department site for interactive evacuation zone map: https://bit. ly/38jmw6s
ROADS AND TRAILS CLOSURE (FOREST ORDER NO. 0513-21-25): Sequoia National Forest - Kern River and Western Divide Ranger Districts French Fire Area.
UPPER KERN RIVER AREA AND TRAILS CLOSURE (FOREST ORDER NO: 0513-21-26): Sequoia National Forest - Kern River Ranger District
EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF The Keysville Special Recreation Management Area.
Este es un mensaje de emergencia. Para espanol, llame a 2-1-1. Gracias.
If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1-855-264-6565.
If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions about the content of this message, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 2-11. Thank you.
The American Red Cross has set up three evacuation centers:
• Woodrow Wallace Elementary
3240 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella, CA
• Kern Valley High School 3340 Erskine Creek Rd., Lake Isabella, CA
On the west side of the incident an additional evacuation center has been set up at the following location:
• Pioneer Elementary School
1001 Hiett Avenue, Delano, CA
https://twitter.com/ Redcrossccr/sta