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.

Smoke Advisory

Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District

Lions Fire and other wildfires

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/AirMonitoringData/HealthAdvisories/

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/

Smoke Advisory

Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District

Lions Fire, Ferguson Fire and other wildfires

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/AirMonitoringData/HealthAdvisories/

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/

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Valley has been temporarily closed since July 25 due to smoke impacts and for firefighting operations along El Portal Road and the Wawona Road due to the Ferguson Fire.
The Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 West) to Crane Flat and Tioga Road (Highway 120 East) from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass remain open to all visitors and vehicles. Visitors are advised to drive with caution, as smoke impacts may vary.
All trails and campgrounds along Tioga Road, including the Tuolumne Meadows Campground remain open. All visitor services along Tioga Road, including the High Sierra Camps and visitor services near Tuolumne Meadows remain open.
Since the Ferguson Fire began on Friday, July 13, several other park facilities and roads have been closed due to fire impacts and the need to support firefighting operations. These closures include Glacier Point Road, Bridalveil Creek Campground, Wawona Campground, and the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Yosemite National Park continues to work closely with the Incident Management Team and continues to assess park conditions daily.
For updated  24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again. Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose and on the Yosemite National Park Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS
State Route 158 June Lake

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.

State Rout 158 June

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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www.dot.ca.gov

Thursday, August 2, 2018
Winds across the state will be increasing throughout the week into the weekend. In Northern California, humidity will continue to be extremely low reaching single digits. Winds along the Coast Range into the Western Sacramento Valley reaching 20-30 mph are expected now through Sunday. In Southern California, temperatures will remain very warm in the valleys and dessert. A cooling trend due to onshore winds will provide some relief over the next few days.
Did you know that 95% of wildfires in California are sparked due to human activity? That is why fire agencies need the public’s help to prevent them. Whether it’s ensuring a campfire or landscape debris burn of leaves and branches is completely extinguished, or keeping a vehicle well maintained to prevent sparks, following just a few simple steps can help prevent wildfires. For more info on how to prevent sparking a wildfire, click here.
Fires of Interest:
Carr Fire, Shasta County (more info…)
Whiskeytown & Redding
•  125,842 acres, 35% contained
•  Evacuations and road closures in place
•  15,000 residents evacuated, over 1,600 homes threatened
• 1,060 residences destroyed, 186 residences damaged
•  Carr is now the 6th most destructive fire and 13th most deadly fire in state history
•  Damage assessment is ongoing
•  CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 1 (Gouvea) in unified command with Whiskeytown NP (Young)
Mendocino Complex, Mendocino/Lake County
• 110,168 total acres, 39% contained
• CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 1 (Kavanaugh) in command
• 14 residences destroyed, 8 residences damaged
• 14,600 residents evacuated, over 12,000 structures threatened
River Fire (more info…)
Hopland
• 35,278 acres, 50% contained
• Evacuations and road closures in place
Ranch Fire (more info…)
Ukiah
• 74,890 acres, 33% contained
• Evacuations and road closures in place
Ferguson Fire, Mariposa County (more info…)
Yosemite National Park
• 68,610 acres, 39% contained
• Over 800 structures threatened
• Evacuations and road closures remain in effect
• California Federal Incident Management Team 4 (Kurth) assigned in unified command with CAL FIRE
Steele Fire, Napa County **FINAL**
Capell
• Eight structures destroyed, four damaged
Corner Fire, Shasta County
Hwy 299 E x Hwy 89, 8 mi E of Burney
State DPA, SRA, Shasta – Trinity Unit/ County
•  35 acres, brush, timber, 95% contained
Whaleback Fire, Lassen County (more info…)
West of Spaulding (Eagle Lake)
•  Evacuations in place
•  Unified command USFS NorCal Team 1 (Coots), CAL FIRE (Ferguson)
Western Fire, Mendocino County (more info…) NEW
South of Hopland
• 106 acres, 95% contained
Omega Fire, El Dorado County (more info…) NEW
West of Pilot Hill
• 66 acres, 80% contained
Bumper Fire, El Dorado County (more info…) NEW
East of Frenchtown
• 67 acres, 80% contained
Butte Fire, Sutter County (more info…)
Northwest of Yuba City
• 1,200 acres, 90% contained
Sunset Fire, Placer County NEW **FINAL**
Northwest of Yuba City
• 700 acres, 100% contained
Eel Fire, Mendocino County (more info…)
East of Covelo
• 1,000 acres, 5% contained
Cranston Fire, Riverside County (more info…)
Hemet
•  13,139 acres, 92% contained
•  Evacuations in place
Georges Fire, Inyo County (more info…)
Lone Pine
•  2,883 acres, 70% contained
Horse Creek Fire, Tulare County (more info…)
John Krebs Wilderness Area
•  34 acres, 90% contained
Valley Fire, San Bernardino County (more info…)
Yucaipa
•  1,350 acres, 30% contained
Natchez Fire, Del Norte County (more info…)
Southeast of Cave Junction, OR
•  6,988 acres, 15% contained
Eagle Fire, Modoc County (more info…)
South of Cedarville
•  2,100 acres, 95% contained
Owens Fire, Mono County
North of Mammoth Lake
•  312 acres, 80% contained

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