FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) --
A wildfire burning in the Kings Canyon National Park is now the
biggest wildfire in the state. The Rough Fire has grown to more than
77,000 acres and is now 25 percent contained.There are still a lot of heavy concentrations of smoke in some places. The fire is now expected to move toward the east and has reached Lewis Creek in the Monarch Wilderness.
On Sunday, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office canceled the evacuation warning for the Wishon area.
Rough Fire Information
The Rough Fire has grown to 77,287 acres with 25% containment. There are 2,040 personnel currently assigned to the Rough Fire. Rough Fire Information: (559) 332-2028.
Heavy concentrations of smoke are expected near the fire today. Unhealthy conditions are expected in low lying areas and with very light transport winds, smoke is expected to remain in drainages until early afternoon, if not longer. Smoke is expected to again settle into Kings Canyon, and low lying areas near the fire such as Hume Lake and Cedar Grove this evening, with Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy conditions expected.
Firefighters are evaluating opportunities for fire line rehabilitation and repairs. The primary locations being considered are along the contingency lines. The first suppression repair actions are to build water bars to prevent erosion from future water runoff and snowmelt.
The fire is expected to move toward the east and has reached Lewis Creek in the Monarch Wilderness. When wind and topography are in alignment the fire has the potential to make long runs north into Little Tehipite Valley in the northeast.
Firing operations last night were successful in the southwest portion reaching south toward Buck Rock. Firing continued in the Converse Valley until rising humidity levels prevented the fire from burning adequately.
Structure defense preparation continues around the Cedar Grove area as a precaution. This area has been staffed with highly qualified extremely effective crews used in a variety of fire operations including; basic suppression, extremely accurate fire behavior analysis,and other tactical predictive services.
U.S. Forest Service mules from the Sierra National Forest have been assigned to the north side of the Rough Fire. The USFS has utilized pack strings since their inception over 100 years ago. Today, pack strings still work in our public lands to support fire crews, trail crews and other resource-related entities that perform their duties within roadless areas.
Size: 77,287 acres
Containment: 25 percent
Total Personnel: 2,040
CLOSURES
Most of the Hume Lake Ranger District from Delilah Rd. on the west to Jennie Lakes and Monarch Wildernesses to the east; and from Hwy 180 in the south to the Forest boundary to the north. (see included map); Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks issued a closure of the Cedar Grove area and the Grant Grove area.
Sierra National Forest issued a closure order for the Rough Fire Area.
Black Rock Campground and Forest Road 11S12 (also called Black Rock Road) is closed between Balch Camp and McKinley Road.
Sequoia National Forest issued a closure order for the Hume Lake Ranger District, Jenny Lakes Wilderness and Monarch Wilderness, including Forest Road 12S01, 12S01E, and 12S19 in the Sequoia Highlands area.
The Hume Lake recreation area is closed, as is Hwy 180 beyond the junction of Hwy 198 (Generals Highway).