The SQF Complex Forces Mandatory Evacuations
Castle Fire: The Castle Fire has burned 33,925 total acres and is 0% contained. The Evacuation Order placed August 28, 2020, by Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is still active for the following communities: Cedar Slope, Ponderosa, and Pyles Camp. The Evacuation Advisory is still in place for the following communities: Camp Nelson, Rodgers Camp, Coy Flat, and Mountain Aire. The evacuation order and advisory evacuation affected 242 structures. A temporary evacuation point had been set up by the Red Cross at Porterville College Stadium Gate 2. Roads are closed at Johnsondale Bridge and Sherman Pass, Hwy 190, and the County Transfer Station, as well as M107 and Mountain Road 50.
The full suppression strategy is used to contain and confine the fire by utilizing handlines, bulldozers, aircraft along with existing roads and trail systems. Fire engines from multiple agencies, including Tulare County Fire Department, are being employed in the Ponderosa, Pyles Camp, Lloyd
Meadows and Peppermint Ranch areas to assist with structure protection. There was a spot fire located in Kern Flat, west of Kern River that has grown to approximately 200 acres.
There are currently 485 personnel on the SQF Complex, with additional resources still on order.
Shotgun Fire: The Shotgun Fire, located where Pistol Creek and Shotgun Creek converge in the Golden Trout Wilderness, has now burned to 358 acres. 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.
Closures: The Sequoia National Forest has issued Order No. 0513-2031 SQF Complex Fire Area Road and Trails Closure, for the protection of the public and firefighters suppressing the fire. The Inyo National Forest has issued Order No. 05-04-51-20-16 Inyo National Forest Castle Fire Trail and Area Closure, for the protection of the public and firefighters suppressing the fire. These closures are being enforced.
Priorities include: Ponderosa, Cedar Slope, Forks of the Kern Trailhead; Jerky Mountain Trailhead; Facilities and Trails within Trout Meadow; structures and facilities along the Lloyd Meadow Road; RM Pyles Boys Camp; grazing cattle west of north road; The Freeman Creek Grove and other Sequoia tree Groves; The President George H.W. Bush Tree; Camp Whitsett, featuring numerous Native American archeological values; Peppermint Fire Station; The Mountain Yellow-legged Frog and Little Kern Golden Trout Critical Habitats; Pacific Fisher habitats.
Weather: Winds are expected from the southsouthwest 5 to 15 mph and occasional gusts to 25 mph. Unstable conditions and with relative humidity dropping into the upper single digits to mid-teens the potential to increase fire activity exist.
Smoke Impact: Smoke and widespread air quality impacts from the California wildfires and SQF Complex remain a primary weather concern. To assist with public air quality issues, an Air Resource Advisor has been assigned to the SQF Complex. For information about air quality, smoke conditions, and health effects, visit https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/southernsierrasequoia, 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.
Special notes: Fire managers will employ tactics that safely engage fire while prioritizing firefighter and public safety and protecting values at risk. Life safety will always remain the number one priority. COVID-19 mitigations are being taken to limit exposure risks to firefighters and the public, per CDC guidelines. For More Information: Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/