Georges Fire Morning Update

Lone Pine, CA, July 13, 2018 – The Georges Fire (lightning-caused) is currently at 2,883 acres and is 42% contained. The incident transitioned out of Unified Command. The fire is being managed by SoCal Team 3, a Type 2 incident management team (assigned to the Inyo National Forest). The complexity of the fire has diminished due to increased containment, favorable weather, and precipitation over the fire. Tomorrow, management of the fire will transition to a local Type 4 team, comprised of your local firefighters from the Inyo National Forest.

Much of the fireline of the Georges Fire is in steep, inaccessible terrain. Firefighters cannot safely gauge if these areas are contained or if pockets of heat still remain. However, the monsoonal moisture has substantially diminished the fire activity.

Crews will continue suppression repair, mop up, and collecting remaining backhaul. Firefighters will continue to patrol in the fire area. No structures have been destroyed, and no reportable injuries occurred.

Precipitation is likely today with some potential for erratic downdraft winds likely. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast and will decrease over the weekend.

The area burned is 82% U. S. Forest Service (2,364 acres), 12% Bureau of Land Management (345 acres), and 5% Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (154 acres).

At this time, 564 personnel remain assigned to the incident, including 20 crews, 22 engines, 3 dozers, 7 helicopters, and 4 water tenders. Fixed wing aircraft is available upon request.

The last regularly scheduled update will be released tomorrow.

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While firefighters make the final push towards containment of the fire, they must fulfill another extremely important task called backhaul. Firefighters must recover equipment in the field that is no longer needed by the crews. The Georges Fire is no exception. These items include hose, chainsaw kits, generators, and smaller items like nozzles. Equipment must then cleaned, repaired, and organized to be ready for the next incident.

Georges Fire Morning Update

Lone Pine, CA, July 12, 2018  – The Georges Fire (lightning-caused) is currently at 2,883 acres and is 42% contained. The fire is in Unified Command with SoCal Team 3, a Type 2 incident management team (assigned to the Inyo National Forest), and CAL FIRE. The fire started the afternoon of July 8, 2018.

With a moderation in fire behavior, the evacuation has been lifted for the Whitney Portal area, including campgrounds, residents, and the Whitney Portal Store. The Whitney Portal Road was opened under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff. The area was closed for the public’s safety due to the fire. The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center and the Wilderness Permit Office will return to normal business hours today.

Yesterday, fire crews worked on strengthening containment lines. Helicopters continued to support fire suppression efforts with water drops as needed.

There was no precipitation over the fire overnight. Firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol in the fire area. A general light southeast flow aloft will keep transporting moist and unstable air over the eastern Sierra leading to increased chances for showers and thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. Today will be mostly sunny becoming partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms in the morning, scattered showers through the day, and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tonight, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected with showers and thunderstorms after midnight.

There are 627 personnel currently assigned to the incident, including 19 crews, 31 engines, 4 dozers, 8 helicopters, and 8 water tenders. Fixed wing aircraft is available upon request.

Due to declining fire activity, there will only be a morning updates.

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The Georges Fire is burning in an area designated as critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep, a federally-listed endangered species. The Georges Fire is improving wintering habitat for the bighorn sheep. It creates patches where pinyon/ juniper canopy cover is reduced. This is beneficial for the bighorn sheep because the woodlands are habitat for predators, such as mountain lions.

USFS news release

Georges Fire Evening Update

Lone Pine, CA, July 11, 2018 – The Georges Fire (lightning-caused) is currently at 2,883 acres and is 42% contained. The fire is in Unified Command with SoCal Team 3, a Type 2 incident management team (assigned to the Inyo National Forest), CAL FIRE and the Inyo Sheriff’s Department. The fire started the afternoon of July 8, 2018.

The evacuation has been lifted for the Whitney Portal area, including campgrounds, residents, and the Whitney Portal Store.

Eager hikers started arriving at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center in Lone Pine, Calif., soon after the announcement that the Whitney Portal would reopen Wednesday, July 11, at 6 p.m. The Whitney Portal Road was opened under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff. The area was closed for the public’s safety due to the fire.

The fire led to the evacuation of the popular Mt. Whitney Trailhead including campgrounds, residents, and Whitney Portal Store. With a moderation in fire behavior, the evacuation has been lifted. The visitor center began issuing permits for both day and overnight hikers who have reservations for the Mt. Whitney Trailhead. Permits will be re-issued for those who were unable to complete their hike in the past few days due to the fire.

The visitor center will be fully staffed and information will be available to update hikers on the Georges Fire.  In addition, hikers can request night box service by calling the Wilderness Permit Office at 760-873-2483.

Today, fire crews worked on strengthening containment lines. Firefighters that were on the fireline overnight were transported by helicopter to the helibase at Manzanar National Historic Site. These crews were camped in terrain inaccessible by vehicle, making helicopter shuttles necessary. Helicopters continued to support fire suppression efforts with water drops as needed.

Tonight, firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol in the fire area. Thunderstorms are predicted to move in to the area this evening, bringing the potential for erratic winds and heavy rains, which can lead to flash flooding in the burn area.

There are 627 personnel currently assigned to the incident, including 19 crews, 31 engines, 4 dozers, 8 helicopters, and 8 water tenders.