News releases
Lions Fire Update
The Lions Fire is estimated to be 6,530 acres and 60% contained, showing 1,074 acres of growth yesterday. Fire activity remains on the western flank, where the fire moved into heavier fuels and has spread upslope along the Cargyle Creek Drainage on the Sierra National Forest. Similar fire activity is expected today. The Lions Fire did not see any measurable precipitation yesterday.
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Crews continue burning operations along the northeast flank of the fire (south of Fern Lake) to strengthen the control line and improve a buffer to keep the main fire from spotting into King Creek and further protecting Devils Postpile National Monument, Reds Meadow, and Mammoth Lakes. Along the western flank, crews continue to clear trail networks and tie them into rock barriers for new containment lines. Helicopters are supporting them by cooling the fire’s edge with water drops.
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Fire activity includes short duration crown runs, group torching, flanking, and backing. The area has seen approximately 50% tree mortality from bark beetles.
The Lions Fire currently has 116 total personnel assigned, including six crews and four helicopters. Resources continue to arrive, including the Inyo Hotshots and Del Rosa Hotshots.
Warm and dry conditions remain in the forecast with the potential for continued thunderstorms for the next several days.
The Reds Meadow Road and all services in the Reds Meadow Valley, including Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls, remain open.
Closures: There is an emergency trail closure for the Fern Lake and Beck Lake Trails on the Inyo National Forest and emergency trail closures and a Forest Order to close the area on the Sierra National Forest (west of the North Fork of the San Joaquin River, north of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River and South of Iron Creek).
Smoke: Smoke from the Lions Fire is visible along the Reds Meadow Road (Minaret Vista, Devils Postpile National Monument), Mammoth Mountain, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Significant fire activity from numerous fires throughout the state is affecting air quality in the Eastern Sierra.
Owens, Hot Creek Fire Update
Both the Owens Fire (312 acres) and the Hot Creek Fire (436 acres) remain at 80% contained.
The Owens Fire is located along the Owens River Road, which is east of Hwy. 395 in the June Lake area.
The Hot Creek Fire is burning near Hot Creek, east of the Mammoth Lakes Airport. This fire has been determined to be on Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Field Office and Inyo National Forest land.
Both have been determined to be lightning-caused fires.
Fire activity on both fires is minimal. Both fires have dozer and handline completed around them. Crews continue mopping up; the process of cooling hot spots with water within the fire perimeter. Crews start near the edge of the fire and work interior (if safe) to find areas such as stumps or logs that may retain heat. This is a slow, deliberate process to help contain the fire.
As of 6:00 pm tonight, the road closures (Owens River Road between Big Springs Campground and Cashbaugh Ranch, Antelope Springs Road (3S05) between Cashbaugh Ranch and Antelope Springs) will be lifted.
At 6:00 pm tonight, the evacuation advisors will be lifted. This includes the Big Springs Campground, Inaja Ranch, and the Arcularius Ranch.
Fire crews remain in the area, so please drive slowly for your and their safety.
Thanks to the response from numerous local agencies including Bureau of Land Management, Cal Fire, Mono County Sheriff, and numerous local fire agencies.
The next update will be when there is something significant to report.
Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District
Stage 2 Health Advisory
Affected Area: Mammoth Lakes
Smoke Sources: Lions Fire and other wildfires
Based on air pollution levels at the Mammoth Lakes PM10 monitor and the US Forest Service’s emergency PM2.5 monitor in Mammoth Lakes between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM PDT a Stage 2 Air Pollution Health Advisory has been issued for Mono County. Other Mono County communities are likely to be impacted during different parts of the day. Visitwww.gbuapcd.org for current information.
A Stage 2 Health Advisory recommends that everyone refrain from strenuous outdoor activities in the impacted areas.
Air pollution monitors in Mono County: Bridgeport, Lee Vining, June Lake, and Mammoth Lakes. Additionally the US Forest Service has a PM2.5 Monitor deployed in Mammoth Lakes. Smoke conditions may change quickly. If you have any questions please visit: www.gbuapcd.org or call the Great Basin Air Pollution Control District office in Bishop at 760-872-8211 during regular business hours.
Health advisories on the web: https://gbuapcd.org/
More Information: Ferguson Fire InciWeb Page, Perry Fire InciWeb Page, and Lions Fire InciWeb Page
Current Smoke Information
Information on all smoke events being monitored in the District: https://gbuapcd.org/smoke/
Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District
Upgraded to Stage 2 Health Advisory
Affected Area: Bishop
Smoke Sources: Lions Fire and other wildfires
Based on air pollution levels at the Bishop (NCORE) PM2.5 monitor between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM PDT the prior Stage 1 Air Pollution Health Advisory has been upgraded to a Stage 2 Air Pollution Health Advisory for Inyo County. Other Inyo County communities may be impacted during different parts of the day. Visit www.gbuapcd.org for current information.
A Stage 2 Health Advisory recommends that everyone refrain from strenuous outdoor activities in the impacted areas.
A Stage 1 Health Advisory recommends children, the elderly, people with heart or lung problems, or people with current illnesses such as the flu, to stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities in the impacted areas.
Air pollution monitors in Inyo County: Bishop (NCORE Site at White Mountain Research Station), Fort Independence Tribal Monitor, Lone Pine, Olancha, Keelerand Coso Junction. Smoke conditions may change quickly. If you have any questions please visit: www.gbuapcd.org or call the Great Basin Air Pollution Control District office in Bishop at 760-872-8211 during regular business hours.
Health advisories on the web: https://gbuapcd.org/
More Information: Ferguson Fire InciWeb Page and Lions Fire InciWeb Page
Current Smoke Information
Information on all smoke events being monitored in the District: https://gbuapcd.org/smoke/
Bishop – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) would like to inform the traveling public that State Route 158 (June Lake Loop) is closed between Silver Lake and Grant Lake. The official location is 7.3 miles south of the north junction of SR 158 & US Hwy 395.
A large mud slide is covering a large portion of the highway. Caltrans crews and CHP are on site directing traffic. The highway will remain closed overnight and the situation will be reassessed in the morning.
The traveling public is advised to use alternate routes, keep a close eye on the weather, and proceed cautiously when driving through mountainous areas. The safety of Caltrans and other agency’s crews, and that of other responders, is very important. Inattentiveness on the road can have tragic consequences.
STATE ROUTE 168E (WESTGARD PASS) ROAD CLOSURE
BISHOP — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) would like to inform the traveling public that yesterday’s west closure on State Route 168E (Westgard Pass) has been moved. 168E is open from U.S. Hwy 395 to White Mountain Road.
168E remains closed from White Mountain Road to the junction at State Route 266 for roadway repair work due to heavy flooding.
The traveling public is advised to use alternate routes and proceed cautiously when driving through mountainous areas.
For the latest highway information please visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
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It’s keeping me out…And BTW T.J., without tourists, Mammoth would cease to exist. And tourism is the only reason that you get to BE a trout junky and fish for an extra 2 weeks in November, instead of the season ending on Halloween. The powers that be extended the season to bring in more “tourists” to spend money during the empty time between fishing and skiing seasons, So I think a big thank you to us “tourists” is in order.
From what I’m seeing myself,reading and hearing,this smoke is keeping a LOT of tourists out of the whole Counties of Inyo and Mono….it’s terrible down here in Southern Inyo.
What a great way to keep tourists out of mammoth . Sad to see this much smoke around.