Kathryn Watson of Mammoth Lakes caught these scenes of the Indian Fire with flames rushing along the ground and dramatic cloud formations above.

(Press Releases – BLM, Nancy Upham PIO)

Indian Fire Update – 4pm Thursday

The lightning caused Indian Fire, burning southeast of Mono Lake on Bureau of Land Management public lands, has now consumed 5,000 acres of grass and sagebrush, and is considered 30% contained.

Crews have continued to actively pursue the suppression of the Indian Fire, with approximately 100 people currently committed to that effort. This afternoon the ‘on-the-ground’ engines and handcrews are being supported by two airtankers, two helicopters, one lead plane and two air attack planes.

The fire is currently burning in a north easterly direction. Members of the public are reporting seeing two plumes of smoke in the area, but there are not two different fires – it is just two different fronts of the Indian Fire.

Temperatures are high and humidity is low, but the relatively easy terrain is helping crews and dozer operators with the construction of containment lines around the fire.

Participating agencies include BLM, the Forest Service, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CalFire, and the Lee Vining Volunteer Fire Department.

The Indian Fire was ignited by a lightning strike from the thunderstorm that passed through the Eastern Sierra Wednesday afternoon. Although no structures are located in the area, the fire is burning in sage grouse habitat and crews will continue to aggressively suppress it.

Photo by Kathryn Watson, Mammoth Lakes

Indian Fire Burns East of Mono Lake

A thunderstorm that passed through the Eastern Sierra Wednesday afternoon ignited a lightning fire about five miles southeast of Mono Lake, north of Highway 120, on Bureau of Land Management public lands The Indian Fire is burning in sagebrush and grass and is currently about 1,000 acres.
The Indian Fire started at about 2:00 Wednesday afternoon, and as of 9:00 p.m. is 15 % contained. Crews initially hit the fire hard and were supported by four airtankers, two helicopters, an air attack and a lead plane.

Wednesday night crews remained in full suppression mode on the fire where 6 engines, 4 handcrews, 2 water tenders and 2 dozers are fully engaged. Participating agencies include BLM, the Forest Service, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CalFire, and the Lee Vining Volunteer Fire Department.