News Release
Lee Vining, CA: For the campers that were evacuated along Hwy 120 (Tioga Pass), there are escorts today into those campgrounds for property and belongings to be retrieved. The escorts will take place until 3:00 pm this afternoon and tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19th 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. depending on law enforcement availability.
If you need to get into a campground, there is an escort station set up at Hwy 120 just past the Tioga Mobile Mart. You will see 3 cones in the roadway near the bus stop. Please pull over at these cones and wait for the proper law enforcement escort into your campground.
The campgrounds in Lower Lee Vining Canyon remain closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.
The Upper Lee Vining Campgrounds are re-opening. These include Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake, Junction, Sawmill, and Saddlebag Campgrounds. Tioga Pass Resort and the Saddlebag Lake Resorts are open and the evacuation advisory is lifted.
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Walker Fire
August 18, 2015, Update #3 8:00 a.m.
Date Started: 8/14/2015
Cause: Human
Total Personnel: 471
Injuries/Illnesses to Date:0
Size: 3,613 acres
Structures Threatened: 235
Percent Contained: 20%
Resources: 5 helicopters, 0 seats 2 Air tankers Engines 29,Crews 8,Water Tenders 1 Dozers 4
Structures Lost: 0
Estimated Containment: 8/23/2015
Air Support and Ground Crews make progress onWalker Fire
Lee Vining, CA: The Walker Fire is currently burning approximately two miles southwest of Lee Vining. This is a human-caused fire that is still under investigation.
Crews held the fire last night and continue to improve containment lines.Crews will continue to maintain and strengthen the fire line today as well as mopping up the 65-acre hot spot.
Due to more accurate mapping, the fire size is now at 3,613 acres.
Tioga Pass (Highway 120) is open without an escort. However, there will no stopping along the eastern six miles of the road. This will be strictly enforced. The fire remains active to the south of the road and this is essential for firefighter and public safety.
The fire is burning in mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining areas and along Highway 395.
Closures and Evacuations:
Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.
A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.
Campgrounds in the Lower Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.
The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.
Approximately 471 firefighters are on scene as well as numerous aircraft, dozers, and engines. Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, neighboring forests, BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned. For more information on the Walker Fire you can got to the following sites: Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4515/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inyonfhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Mono-County-Sheriffs-Office
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