ASPEN FIRE INFORMATION

Released Sunday, July 28, 7:00 AM

Incident Statics

Acres Burned: 8927 Structures Threatened: 3

Containment: 15% Structures Damaged: 0

Fire Start Date: July 22, 2013 Injuries: 0

Fire Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 1187

Cost to date: $4.0 million

Summary

■The Fire is located within the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County and is approximately seven miles North of Big Creek. It is currently burning off Stump Springs Road, North of Aspen Springs. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team is in command of the Aspen Fire

■Over the past two days, fire activity has been increasing in the late afternoon. This is due to the smoke inversion layer lifting. This inversion layer is expected to lift sooner in the today so smoke maybe seen earlier.

Fire Update

■Firefighter and public safety remains the highest priority. Fire crews are being sensitive to environmental and cultural resources in and around the fire area.

■Due to the extremely steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain, fire crews are using a tactic called indirect attack which creates control lines away from the fires active edge. Air resources, including several helicopters and air tankers are being utilized along the fire-line to slow the forward progress of the fire and to cool down hot spots. As the situation changes and firefighters can safely gain access to the fire, a more direct attack will be implemented.

■Smoke from the Aspen Fire continues to impact air quality in local communities. Individuals sensitive to smoke are advised to remain indoors and keep windows closed to minimize exposure to smoke. For more information regarding smoke visit: www.valleyair.org

Road and Trail Closures

Roads:

Stump Springs Road is closed to all traffic due to fire suppression activity.

Minarets Road (4S81) from Fish Creek to Jackass Rock Organization Campground, Grizzly at Beasore Road to Minarets Road are closed to the public. Residents within the road closure are allowed into the area with valid identification.

Trails:

Per the U.S. Forest Service Closure Order Number 15-13-09, all trails within the Kaiser Wilderness are closed.

Evacuations

Additional campground closures went in to affect today as a precautionary measure. Campground closures within the Sierra National Forest are as follows:

Sample Meadow West Kaiser

Jackass Rock Organization Lower Chiquito

Little Jackass Soda Springs

Placer Sweet Water

China Bar Rock Creek

Rancheria Badger Flat

Midge Creek Mammoth Pool

Fish Creek Wagners Mammoth Pool Resort

Cooperating Agencies include

The U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, U.S. Department of Defense, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Fresno County Sheriff, Madera County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Southern California Edison, PG&E, California Conservation Corp.