Photo from Mammoth Lakes Fire Department Facebook Post
Iris Fire- Daily Update: July 27, 2020 (USFS – INF Press Release)
Iris Fire – Lifting of Closures
Size: 120 acres
Containment: 90%
Location: East of Rock Creek Road, near Iris Meadows Campground
Fuels: Sagebrush, pinyon/juniper
Cause: Lightning
Update: Crews continue to mop up and patrol throughout the fire area. The focus remains on the 10% of open fire line on northeast corner of the fire, where crews continue to make progress improving containment lines and mopping up in very rugged and steep terrain.
Today, many of the crews will be involved in fire suppression repair this is a process where crews work to reduce the risk of soil erosion from fire line construction and other suppression activities.
California Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 13 Mike Wakoski, Incident Commander would like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their continued patience and understanding as firefighters work to complete fire containment efforts.
Weather: Isolated thunderstorms remain in the forecast for this evening and into Monday which could bring more lightning to the area.
Opening of Closures: Rock Creek Road at Tom’s Place will reopen no later than noon today. Motorists are advised to drive with caution as fire equipment may be coming in and out of the area and firefighters may occasionally be near the roadway. Please drive slowly for firefighter safety! Please note that Holiday and Palisade campgrounds remain closed for use by firefighters and equipment for the next several days.
All wilderness permits for the Rock Creek Canyon trailheads are being honored. This includes the Little Lakes (including the Mono Pass Trail that starts here) and Hilton Lakes Trailhead.
Mono County Sheriff, Inyo County Sheriff, Mono Public Works District II and the California Highway Patrol continue to monitor traffic in the area for safety.
Resources: There are 300 personnel remain assigned to the incident, including 10 engines, 5 crews, 1 water tender, and 2 helicopters.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6877/
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Thank you!
Have any of the actual campgrounds burned? If so, which ones, and will they be closed for an extended time?
We’ll ask the Forest Service. There has been nothing in the daily updates that would seem to support that campgrounds were damaged, only closed. As of 6:20 pm, we haven’t received an update, but when we do, we’ll definitely post it for readers and listeners.–SWM
From the fire maps, it looks like none of the camps were touched. LIkewise roads and trails, except for the 4WD road on Wheeler bench (not visible fromthe Rock Creek Road).
I have reservations at French Camp beginning July 31. Should I be looking for an alternative site? I know that reports said trailheads would be closed through today (July 26) and another comment suggested the road to the Lake would open on the 27th? What are the possibilities of French Camp and other sites in the valley, opening tomorrow, July 27th
UPDATE ON JULY 26 AT 7:00 P.M.: Looks like French Camp will be open tomorrow, July 27, after all! These firefighters are amazing…and the Forest Service threw some significant resources at this fire to bring it under control even though it was located in some rough terrain. If you are still coming up, please have a safe trip and again, bring masks and face coverings and practice good safety protocols.–Charles
EARLIER MESSAGE: The current information posted on the French Camp Campground is that it is “Closed due to wildfire.”
The most current information that we have here at Sierra Wave from the USFS is that French Camp is that it is still closed due to wildfire. There should be another update later this afternoon or evening, but it would appear unlikely that French Camp and other camps in the area might suddenly be reopened by tomorrow.
The best way for you to find “up-to-the-minute” information would be to call the Inyo National Forest office directly at 760-873-2400.
Please remember to bring masks/face covering with you and follow health order protocols. They are mandated in both Inyo and Mono counties. We are experiencing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, especially in Mono County.
If you cannot be dissuaded from coming up here at this time, and please consider it, have a safe trip and stay well. We do like tourists up here, but these are troubling times with this ongoing pandemic and the large influx of tourists in the last few weeks has really caused a strain on our local healthcare providers and facilities.
Thank you firefighters for all your hard work!
Any news on when the road to Rock Creek Lake will open?
At the closure near Tom’s Place I was told that the road is expected to open Monday (27Jul).
Thank you firefighters!
The aerial firefighting display was impressive. Thanks for hitting this fire hard and early.