Owens River Fire at 6,000 acres, 20 percent contained

USFS press release

The Owens River Fire remains at 6,000 acres and 20% contained.

Last night, crews focused on the active western flank and worked on containing several spot fires and slop overs caused by the afternoon winds yesterday. Crews worked on containing these areas and hose lays were put in place. Crews monitored the southern flank and have begun mop up operations along the Owens River Road.

Today, crews will remain focused on containing these spot fires along the western flank to better strengthen this fireline.

Crews will strengthen firelines, patrol, and mop up along the north, east and south flanks.

Today’s weather remains hot and dry with the potential for increased winds from the southwest with a storm front passage.

Four uninhabited outbuildings and several pieces of heavy equipment were destroyed during the initial response yesterday.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated.

The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well.

For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It will settle in the valleys at night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 9 hand crews, 48 engines, 3 air tankers, 7 helicopters, 3 dozers, and 6 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 483 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be human-caused.

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UPDATE:

The Owens River Fire is estimated to be 4,500 acres and 10% contained.

The fire is burning north of the Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395. It is burning in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine.

Last night, crews took advantage of the cool temperatures, which moderated fire behavior, to scout and develop containment lines–focusing their efforts along the Owens River Road to protect nearby private developments and ranches.

They were able to conduct strategic burning operations to strengthen lines along the south and west flank to improve control lines near the Owens River Road. The recent Clark Fire is an effective barrier to spread along the northern flank.

Fire staff also worked to help visitors who were recreating nearby to safely leave the area.

Today, crews will continue to develop and strengthen containment lines. Hot, dry conditions, and afternoon winds are in the forecast for today.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. Only personnel responding to the fire should be using the Owens River Road. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke will be highly visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It settled in valleys last night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 3 hand crews, 14 engines, air tankers, a helicopter, a dozer, and a water tender assigned to the fire and additional resources have been ordered. There are 250 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be human-caused.

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Fire crews are responding to the Owens River Fire. The fire is estimated to be 500 acres. It is burning in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine.

The fire is burning north of the Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395. Smoke is highly visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining.

Crews are focusing their efforts along the Owens River Road to protect nearby private developments and ranches.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated.

There are numerous hand crews, engines, air tankers, a helicopter, and a water tender assigned to the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.