Sierra - Horse Creek Fire Update - July 24, 2018

AAI just received the following email from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks News Release

For Immediate Release
Fire Information Updates: (559) 565-3704
E-mail: seki_fire_info@nps.gov
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Horse Creek Fire Update (July 24, 2018)

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (7/24/18, 9 a.m.) - Firefighters continue to strengthen containment and build upon successful operations on the Horse Creek Fire.

The Horse Creek fire continued to hold at 30 acres in size overnight due to the successful work of fire crews during the day. The fire is currently 17% contained and firefighters expect to increase containment today with the addition of more Hotshot and hand crews.

Due to the remote location of this fire, which is burning in the John Krebs Wilderness Area of Sequoia National Park, helicopters continue to be used extensively not only for fire attack, but also to shuttle and resupply ground crews. Firefighters will continue full suppression actions today with both ground and air resources. Five helicopters are currently being utilized for aerial water drops while ground crews work to strengthen containment lines.

Firefighters continue to be challenged by steep terrain and high temperatures. However, a predicted stable air mass moving into the region will likely decrease the threat of thunderstorms. Fire behavior has remained moderate, with the fire creeping and smoldering along the ground. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team remains in command of the fire and is working under a delegation of authority from Sequoia National Park.

The Mineral King Valley is now under a Fire Advisory. The Mineral King area may experience smoke impacts of varying intensity. Due to this and the increased amount of fire personnel traffic on the Mineral King Road:

• Effective Monday, July 23, wilderness permit holders will not be able to start any trips from Mineral King trailheads until further notice. Walk-up permits will not be issued. Visitors currently on wilderness trips will be allowed to exit as planned.
• The Atwell-Hockett Trail and the Tar Gap Trail remain closed.
• Mineral King Campgrounds remain open but could close with little notice based on change in fire behavior, smoke, and air quality.
• Only day-hiking is permitted on open trails.

For questions about wilderness permits, please call (559) 565-3766 or e-mail seki_wilderness_office@nps.gov.

At this time neither the road nor any structures are directly threatened by the fire, and the road remains open. However, visitors are strongly encouraged to consider recreation options other than Mineral King in order to minimize traffic on the road.

Tulare County offers a free automated alert service that issues notices of unsafe conditions and warnings to residents on the platform of their choice (e.g., SMS, email, landline). To sign up, visit https://alerttc.com/

For more information on the Horse Creek Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5984/.

 - NPS -

About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' Fire Management Program

For fifty years, our mission has been to use the full range of options and strategies available to manage fire in the parks. This includes protecting park resources, employees, and the public from unwanted fire; building and maintaining fire resilient ecosystems; reducing the threat to local communities from wildfires emanating from the parks or adjacent lands; and recruiting, training, and retaining a professional fire management workforce.