Sheep, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP. Previously reported incident. Two miles southwest of Cedar Grove, CA. Timber and brush.
October 6, 2010 - Growth on the Sheep Fire Complex has been stopped by firefighters’ actions to contain the western flank and by recent rain and cooler temperatures. The Sheep Fire has burned 8,962 acres (5,837 in Sequoia National Forest, 3,125 in Kings Canyon National Park) over the past two and one-half months. The Marvin Fire grew to 25 acres. The National Park Service and the US Forest Service have worked together closely in response to this wildfire.
The Sheep Fire was started on July 16th by lightning in a remote area of Kings Canyon National Park in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove. Fire growth was predominately to the west and was ultimately contained to reduce smoke impacts.
Fire spread to the east was limited by previous prescribed and wildland fires, the south flank of the fire slowed significantly due to scarce fuels and by burnout operations completed by firefighters, and firefighters contained the fire’s northern growth along the Highway 180 and the Kings River.
Historically fires ignited in the summer months by lightning storms would burn throughout the late summer and fall in the Sierra Nevada. These fires would slowly smolder with the cooler and shorter days and eventually be extinguished by rain or snow.
This lightning fire will limit the size and severity of subsequent fires by reducing the amount of dead, woody debris on the forest floor. It will open the canopy allowing sunlight through and encourage the sprouting and re-growth of plants, shrubs and trees.
October 2, 2010 - The smoke advisory for Cedar Grove, Hume Lake, and locations within the Kings Canyon is being lifted based upon improved air quality conditions.
The Sheep Fire is located in Kings Canyon National Park and the Sequoia National Forest in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove. Smoke from this fire has been impacting the communities of Cedar Grove, Hume Lake, and other locations within the Kings Canyon.
Firefighters have made great progress containing the western flank this fire's western growth. As such, smoke production has significantly diminished over the last several days.
Visitors to these areas should still expect to see lingering smoke while interior pockets within the fire perimeter continue to burn and smolder. Visitors with sensitivities to smoke should take steps to limit their exposure.
September 29, 2010 - The Sheep Fire Complex has grown to 8,802 acres, (5693 acres in the Sequoia National Forest (including the 25 acre Marvin Fire), 3,095 acres in Kings Canyon National Park). Growth remains predominately to the west. Fire crews have completed the fireline west of the fire. Unseasonably warm temperatures and low relative humidities are still in play. Two helicopters are assigned to the Sheep Fire to assist firefighters in containing the fire. Crews continue to hold the fire south of the Kings River along Highway 180 in Kings Canyon to prevent fire spread north of the Kings River. Fire activity is minimal on the eastern and southern flanks.
September 25, 2010 - The Sheep Fire Complex has grown to 8,475 acres (5,355 acres in the Sequoia National Forest (including the 25 acre Marvin Fire), 3,095 acres in Kings Canyon National Park). Growth remains predominately to the west.
Fire crews have completed the fireline and burnout operations west of the fire in an effort to contain the active flank. Crews are prepared to hold the fireline as the wildfire edge approaches. Unseasonably warm temperatures and low relative humidities have increased fire activity. This weather is anticipated over the fire for the next five days and will be a challenge for holding operations. Four helicopters are dedicated to the Sheep Fire to assist firefighters in holding the western fireline.
Crews continue to hold the fire south of the Kings River along Highway 180 in Kings Canyon to prevent fire spread north of the Kings River. Fire activity is minimal on the eastern and southern flanks.
Smoke Advisory: Visitors to Hume Lake, Cedar Grove, and locations throughout the Kings Canyon should anticipate significant smoke in the area this weekend. Morning inversion is holding smoke in Hume Lake and the Kings Canyon in the morning hours. Cedar Grove is experiencing significant smoke at periods throughout the day.
To view real-time smoke monitoring data for Hume Lake and Cedar Grove, visit http://www.satguard.com/usfs/fleet.aspx. Hume Lake’s link is called Sequoia NP area.
September 22, 2010 - The Sheep Fire Complex has grown to 7,887 acres (4,798 acres in the Sequoia National Forest (including the 18 acre Marvin Fire), 3,089 in Kings Canyon National Park,). Fire growth has slowed with cooler temperatures.
Fire crews made good progress on burnout operations north of Deer Meadow. These efforts are to contain the western edge of the Sheep Fire to reduce smoke impacts and hold the fire east of Boulder Creek. Burnout operations and line improvements are planned to continue north along the line.
In the canyon, fire crews crossed the Kings River by boat to improve the northern end of the western line. Crews remain on patrol along Highway 180 in Kings Canyon to prevent fire spread north of the Kings River.
A warming trend is forecast for this weekend that should increase fire activity.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the valley in the morning hours. This is based on inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail and the Rattlesnake Creek Trail in Kings Canyon National Park are closed. The Forest Service has expanded a temporary area closure on the Hume Lake Ranger District. The closure is between Horse Corral Meadow and the south side of California State Highway 180 and from Boulder Creek east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park.
For tips on reducing your exposure to smoke, please visit www.airquality.org/smokeimpact/
September 20, 2010 - The Sheep Fire Complex has grown to 7,562 acres (3,078 in Kings Canyon National Park, 4,484 acres in the Sequoia National Forest). Fire growth remains predominately to the west.
Fire crews began burnout operations yesterday south of Deer Meadow. Burnout operations remove forest fuels from between the active wildfire edge and the recently constructed fireline. These efforts are to contain the western edge of the Sheep Fire to reduce smoke impacts and hold the fire east of Boulder Creek. Burnout operations and line improvements are planned to continue north along the line.
Fire crews remain on patrol along Highway 180 in Kings Canyon to prevent fire spread north of the Kings River.
Mildly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidities are forecast over the fire for next two days.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the valley in the morning hours. This is based on inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail and the Rattlesnake Creek Trail in Kings Canyon National Park are closed. The Forest Service has expanded a temporary area closure on the Hume Lake Ranger District. The closure is between Horse Corral Meadow and the south side of California State Highway 180 and from Boulder Creek east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park.
For tips on reducing your exposure to smoke, please visit www.airquality.org/smokeimpact/
September 19, 2010 - Firefighters continue actions to contain the western edge of the Sheep Fire based upon planned control objectives and to reduce smoke impacts. Fire crews have constructed firelines in advance of the western edge of the fire and are preparing the line (removing brush and trees) to stop the fire's growth. This fireline has been constructed at the safest location for firefighters as much of the terrain is steep and inaccessible. Planned burnout operations to remove fuels from the oncoming fire and provide better control of the western line are anticipated to begin tomorrow. Additional hotshot crews have been ordered to complete this assignment.
In addition, engines and crews continue patrolling along Highway 180 in Kings Canyon to prevent fire spread north of the Kings River. Fire growth to the east has been limited by previous prescribed and wildland fires. The south flank of the fire has slowed significantly due to scarce fuels and burnout operations previously completed.
Favorable fire behavior continues to be observed including creeping ground fire with occasional pockets of torching.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the valley in the morning hours. This is based on inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail and the Rattlesnake Creek Trail in Kings Canyon National Park are closed. The Forest Service has expanded a temporary area closure on the Hume Lake Ranger District. The closure is between Horse Corral Meadow and the south side of California State Highway 180 and from Boulder Creek east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park.
September 17, 2010 - An infrared mapping on September 15th shows the Sheep Fire Complex has grown to 6,191 acres (3,048 in Kings Canyon National Park, 3,145 acres in the Sequoia National Forest).
The Forest Service has expanded a temporary area closure on the Hume Lake Ranger District. The closure is between Horse Corral Meadow and the south side of California State Highway 180 and from Boulder Creek east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park. Forest Road 14S11 (Big Meadows Road) is closed at Horse Corral Meadow. Forest Trail 30E04 is closed from the Deer Meadow Giant Sequoia Grove to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park. This closure area lies within a remote section of the Hume Lake Ranger District and the Monarch Wilderness.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) and the Rattlesnake Creek Trail in the park are closed. The Kanawyer Trail in Sequoia National Forest is closed for public safety. These trail closures are in effect until further notice.
Fire growth remains predominately to the west. Firefighters are patrolling the river and road corridor to hold the fire south of Kings River. In addition firefighters are taking actions to slow and stop the fire spread to the west. These actions include holding actions along the 14S11 road and handline construction on the west side. These actions will slow fire spread and help reduce smoke impacts as the fire continues to grow.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the valley in the morning hours. This is based on inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
September 15, 2010 - An infrared mapping on September 13th shows the Sheep Fire has grown to 5,765 acres (3,042 in Kings Canyon National Park, 2,723 acres in the Sequoia National Forest). This fire was ignited by lightning around July 16th in Kings Canyon National Park and moved onto Sequoia National Forest around August 19th.
Fire growth is predominately to the west. Firefighters are patrolling the river and road corridor to hold the fire south of the river. Recent wildland fires and prescribed fires to the east have slowed fire spread in that direction. Firefighters are monitoring the fire on the southwest side, and burning as needed to help slow fire spread and mitigate smoke. The fire crews completed the fire line on the western edge. This line will help provide better control of the fire spread and help reduce smoke impacts as the fire continues to grow.
With warmer temperatures over the past two days fire behavior and spread has increased. With temperatures staying the same for the next two to four days fire behavior will remain active. However, there are currently no threats to life or property
September 13, 2010 - An infrared mapping on September 11th shows the Sheep Fire has grown to 5,261 acres (3,031 in Kings Canyon National Park, 2,230 acres in the Sequoia National Forest). This fire was ignited by lightning around July 16th in Kings Canyon National Park and moved onto Sequoia National Forest around August 19th.
Fire growth is predominately to the west. The fire reached the valley floor and continues to burn along the Kings River’s bank. Firefighters are patrolling the river and road corridor 24 hours a day to hold the fire south of the river. Recent wildland fires and prescribed fires to the east have slowed fire spread in that direction. Firefighters are monitoring the fire on the southwest side, while two fire crews are building fireline along Deer Meadow Ridge to the west. This line, away from the fire’s edge, will help provide better control and help reduce smoke impacts as the fire continues to grow.
Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidities in the fire area the past few days have slowed fire activity. With expected warmer temperatures over the next three to four days fire, behavior and spread is expected to increase. However, there are currently no threats to life or property.
The Marvin Fire remains at 15 acres in Sequoia National Forest. This fire is burning at a high elevation in rocky terrain near Marvin Pass in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness.
Wildland fire is a reality in the Sierra Nevada. By managing lightning fires, the risk of future fires being larger, more destructive, and smokier is diminished.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the valley in the morning hours. This is based on inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) and the Kanawyer Trail on Forest Service land are closed for public safety. These trail closures are in effect until further notice. The U.S. Forest Service has issued a temporary area closure for the Sheep Fire on the Hume lake Ranger District between Horse Corral Meadow and the Kings River and form Corral Meadow east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park.
September 9, 2010 - The Sheep Fire, in Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Forest, has grown to 4,857 acres based upon a mapping mission last night (3012 acres on the park and 1,845 acres on the forest).
The Sheep Fire continues to grow predominately to the west. Hot and dry conditions over the last week have encouraged fire growth. Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidities are forecasted for this fire area for the next few days.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the valley in the morning hours. This is based on inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) and the Kanawyer Trail on Forest Service land are closed for public safety. These trail closures are in effect until further notice. The U.S. Forest Service has issued a temporary area closure for the Sheep Fire on the Hume lake Ranger District between Horse Corral Meadow and the Kings River and form Corral Meadow east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park.
There are 53 personnel assigned to the incident and it has cost $875,000 to date.
September 8, 2010 - Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are jointly managing the Sheep and Marvin Fires.
Infrared (IR) mapping on September 6th shows the Sheep Fire has grown to 4,395 acres (2,998 acres in Kings Canyon National Park, 1,397 acres on the Sequoia National Forest).
Fire growth is predominately to the west. The fire reached the valley floor on September 4th, and continues to burn along the King River's bank. Firefighters are patrolling the river and road corridor 24-hours a day to hold the fire south of the Kings River. Warmer temperatures over the past week have increased fire growth and behavior. Due to the heavy fuel loading of standing dead and downed trees the fire is visible from the roadway west of Cedar Grove. However, there are currently no threats to life or property.
The Sheep Fire is burning in an area that has missed natural fires for more than one hundred years. This year's significant snow pack and mild summer has allowed the parks and forest to bring fire into an area with heavy fuel accumulation and still achieve desired lower intensity fire behavior. Subsequent fires in the area should be less severe and smaller in size.
The Marvin Fire, ignited by lightning on or around July 16th, has burned 15 acres in Sequoia National Forest. This fire is burning at a high elevation in rocky terrain near Marvin Pass in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Fire behavior includes smoldering with low intensity flame.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove should anticipate significant smoke in the valley at periods throughout the day. Visitors to Hume Lake should expect smoke in the morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail is closed in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) and the Kanawyer Trail is from the park boundary onto the forest. The US Forest Service has issued a temporary area closure for the Sheep Fire on the Hume Lake Ranger District between Horse Corral Meadow and the Kings River and from Horse Corral Meadow east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park.
September 7, 2010 - Two fires, the Sheep Fire and the Marvin Fire, are being managed by Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks staff. They were started by lightning on or around July 16th.
Infrared (IR) mapping on September 4th shows the Sheep Fire has grown to 3,915 acres; 2,927 acres are in Kings Canyon National Park, 988 acres are in Sequoia National Forest.
The Sheep Fire is growing predominately to the west. It reached the valley floor west of Cedar Grove last night. Warmer temperatures and lower relative humidities in the past week have increased fire activity creating longer burning periods. However, the fire is still a lower intensity backing fire. There are currently still no threats to life or property.
The Marvin Fire on the Sequoia National Forest is 15 acres. This fire is burning at a high elevation in rocky terrain near Marvin Pass in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Fire behavior includes smoldering with low intensity flame moving in a south east direction.
The Swale Fire, located near Grant Grove, is a human-caused fire. It is one-quarter of an acre and has been suppressed by the Arrowhead Hotshots.
With all fires, managers will make a determination on how to handle each fire based on its location, elevation, and potential for spread, fuels and other variables. Lightning fires that can be safely managed help reduce forest fuels and return the natural cycle of fire to the forest and parks. Fires that threaten lives, homes, or infrastructure are suppressed.
Visitors to Cedar Grove, Hume Lake, and locations within the Kings Canyon in the park and the forest may experience smoke in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, the smoke should lift. The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed for public safety until further notice.
The US Forest Service has issued a temporary area closure for the Sheep Fire on the Hume Lake Ranger District between Horse Corral Meadow and the Kings River and from Horse Corral Meadow east to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park. This closure includes the Conoyer Trail.
September 1, 2010 - Infrared (IR) mapping on August 30th shows the Sheep Fire has grown to 3,000 acres (2,705 in Kings Canyon National Park, 295 acres on the Sequoia National Forest). This fire was ignited by lightning around July 16th in Kings Canyon National Park and moved onto Sequoia National Forest around August 19th.
Fire growth is predominately to the south and west. Recent wildland fires and prescribed fires to the east have slowed fire spread in that direction. The fire is visible in Cedar Grove and other locations in the Kings Canyon. However, there are currently no threats to life or property.
Cooler temperatures over the weekend helped slow fire growth and behavior. Limited burning operations were conducted on the west side of the fire to encourage fire backing down the steep slope. Fire managers worked with the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District take advantage of favorable conditions for smoke dispersal for this action.
August 25, 2010 - The Sheep Fire in Kings Canyon National Park has grown to 2425 acres based upon an infrared (IR) mapping mission August 24. The fire is visible in Cedar Grove. However, there are currently no threats to life or property. The park and the Sequoia National Forest are in unified command of the fire.
Fire growth has been predominately along the southern and western flanks.
Resources include the parks’ Crew 91, Helicopter 552, Engine 51 (Grant Grove), and Engine 72 (Ash Mountain). Sequoia National Forest’s resources include Crew 20 and Crew 2.
Additionally, three helicopters have been ordered to complete water drops along the western flank. This is in an effort to slow the fire’s western growth and reduce smoke impacts. Cooler temperatures are forecasted for this weekend and should moderate fire growth.
Indirect fireline (away from the fire’s edge) has been constructed on the forest to tie in the fire’s western and northern edge to keep fire out of Lightning Creek drainage. Several spot fires over the Lookout Peak Ridge fireline have been handled by crews.
This fire is located south of Cedar Grove and has safely backed to the valley floor. Fire behavior includes backing fire with some isolated active pockets and occasional torching. It was started by lightning on or about July 16th.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate smoke settling into the valley in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed for public safety. The trail closure is in effect until further notice.
Strategies for managing the fire consider firefighter and public safety, cost management, protection of park and forest facilities, and the ecological benefits of fire in the Sierra Nevada.
August 23, 2010 The Sheep Fire in Kings Canyon National Park has grown to 2025 acres based upon an infrared (IR) mapping mission August 22. The fire is visible in Cedar Grove. However, there are currently no threats to life or property. The park and the Sequoia National Forest are in unified command of the fire.
The fire spread across containment lines west of Cedar Grove on Saturday. The parks’ Crew 91 worked hard in steep terrain to construct a new fireline along the edge of the fire. They were assisted by the parks’ Helicopter 552, which ran cycles of bucket drops to cool the fire for Crew 91 below. The helicopter used the Kings River as a water dip site. This new handline is holding well.
Additional park resources include Engine 51 (Grant Grove), Engine 72 (Ash Mountain), and Crew 9.
Sequoia National Forest’s Crew 20 and Crew 2 have constructed indirect fireline (away from the fire’s edge) on the forest to tie in the fire’s western and northern edge to keep fire out of Lightning Creek drainage. This effort is to reduce smoke impacts as well as provide better control of the fire on the western flank.
This fire is located in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove. Fire behavior includes backing fire with some isolated active pockets and occasional torching. It was started by lightning on or about July 16th.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate smoke settling into the valley in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed for public safety. The trail closure is in effect until further notice.
Strategies for managing the fire consider firefighter and public safety, cost management, protection of park and forest facilities, and the ecological benefits of fire in the Sierra Nevada.
Thursday, 11:44am The Sheep Fire in Kings Canyon National Park has grown to 1805 acres based upon an infrared (IR) mapping mission August 18. The fire is highly visible in Cedar Grove. However, there are currently no threats to life or property.
The fire has spread onto the Sequoia National Forest on the western flank. The park and the forest are in unified command of the fire.
The fire was quite active in Tuesday when high temperatures and low relative humidities encouraged fire growth. Firefighters also conducted burnout operations as the fire approached the valley floor and park infrastructure. Fire activity has moderated with cooler temperatures and cloud cover on Wednesday.
Holding line has also been constructed along the ridge to Lookout Peak in an effort to mitigate smoke impacts in the Kings River drainage.
Sequoia National Forest resources were ordered to assist with burnout and holding operations in Cedar Grove as the fire approached the valley floor and the road. These additional resources help to ensure safe management of the fire in then Cedar Grove Valley. The Springville Hotshots, the Rincon Crew, Crew 20, Crew 2, Engine 32 and Patrol 32 are all assigned to the fire at this time. Park resources include Crew 91, Engine 51 (Grant Grove), Engine 72 (Ash Mountain), and Crew 9.
This fire is located in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove. The fire has backed down to the Cedar Grove Valley and is active on the south and west flanks. Fire behavior includes backing fire with some isolated active pockets and occasional torching. It was started by lightning on or about July 16th.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate smoke settling into the valley in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed for public safety. The trail closure is in effect until further notice.
Strategies for managing the fire consider firefighter and public safety, cost management, and protection of park and forest facilities.
Tuesday, 3:23 pm The Sheep Fire in Kings Canyon National Park has grown to 1246 acres based upon an infrared (IR) mapping mission Monday, August 16. IR mapping is highly accurate. The fire is highly visible in Cedar Grove. However, there are currently no threats to life or property.
This fire is located in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove, one-half mile north of Sentinel Ridge. The fire has backed down to the Cedar Grove Valley floor as well as spread to the west. Fire behavior includes creeping, backing fire with some isolated active pockets and occasional torching. It was started by lightning on or about July 16th.
Firefighters have begun protecting a water tank and helicopter base above Cedar Grove by cutting fire line around these areas as the fire approaches them. Firefighters may conduct burnouts from these lines if conditions permit and this action will provide the best protection of these facilities.
Firefighters are also in place to ensure that the fire backs safely into the valley. A small burnout operation was conducted last night to protect park infrastructure (an electrical box) and further burnouts may be completed if necessary. Members of the parks’ Crew 91 are in place and thinning fuels to assist holding actions. The fire will be held along the Cedar Grove Road.
Holding line has also been constructed along the ridge to Lookout Peak in an effort to mitigate smoke impacts in the Kings River drainage.
Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate smoke settling into the valley in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed for public safety. The trail closure is in effect until further notice.
There is no recorded fire history within the Sheep Fire perimeter. Recent wildland fires and prescribed fires to the east should limit or slow fire spread in that direction. Naturally occurring fire allows for the recycling of nutrients to the soil while reducing the amount of dead, woody debris that can fuel subsequent unwanted fires.
Tuesday, 3:16 pm The Sheep Fire in Kings Canyon National Park has grown to 383 acres based upon a helicopter reconnaissance and mapping mission on Monday. The fire is highly visible in Cedar Grove. However, there are currently no threats to life or property.
This fire is located in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove, one-half mile north of Sentinel Ridge. Wind from a thunder cell that passed over the fire this weekend encouraged growth along the southern and eastern flanks.
Smoke from the Sheep Fire is visible in Cedar Grove. Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate smoke settling into the valley in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed for public safety. The trail closure is in effect until further notice.
The Sheep Fire is in a mixed conifer forest and at 7,000 feet in elevation. Fire behavior includes creeping, backing fire with some isolated active pockets. It was started by lightning on or about July 16th.
There is no recorded fire history within the Sheep Fire perimeter. Recent wildland fires and prescribed fires to the east should limit or slow fire spread in that direction. One of the ecological benefits of managed lightning fires is that they limit the size and severity of subsequent fires. Fire is a natural process in the Sierra Nevada and is necessary to maintain ecosystem diversity.
The Cahoon Fire, the Sugarloaf Fire, and the Gardiner Fire are all showing limited or no fire activity. The Gardiner Fire is now one-quarter of an acre.
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A helicopter reconnaissance on Thursday mapped the Sheep Fire at 177 acres. Growth was along its northern and western flanks, making the fire quite visible in Cedar Grove. There are currently no threats to life or property.
The Don Cecil Trail in Kings Canyon National Park (from the trailhead at Cedar Grove to the park boundary) is closed effective today for public safety in anticipation of the fire approaching the trail. The trail closure is in effect until further notice.
This fire is located in Kings Canyon National Park in the southern cliffs above Cedar Grove, one-half mile north of Sentinel Ridge. It is in a mixed conifer forest and at 7,000 feet in elevation. Fire behavior includes creeping, backing fire with some isolated active pockets. It was started by lightning on or about July 16th.
Smoke from the Sheep Fire is visible in Cedar Grove. Visitors to the Cedar Grove area should anticipate smoke settling into the valley in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in the valley. As the day warms and the inversion breaks, smoke should lift out of the valley.
As with all fires, managers will make a determination on how to handle each fire based on its location, elevation, potential for spread, fuels, and other variables. Lightning fires that can be safely managed promote forest health. Regular lightning fires limit the size and severity of subsequent fires and help to create a mosaic of diverse habitats for plants and animals.
Many thanks to the Fire Information services for their updates.
