Indian, Inyo National Forest

Indian, Inyo NF. Sixteen miles west of Olancha, CA. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with backing and flanking. Structures threatened. Trail closures in effect.

August 23, 2017 at 10:06 AM

There is direct and indirect handline around the entire perimeter of the fire. Pumps and hoselays are in place to continue securing handlines and protect nearby cabins in Long Canyon and Ninemile Creeks if needed. Mop-up operations continue on hot spots on the interior of the fire to further secure the handline.

Crews have begun fire suppression rehabilitation to mitigate or eliminate environmental resource impacts caused by the fire suppression effort and rehab the area to as natural conditions as possible.

Firefighter safety is the top priority. Snags (standing dead trees), heavy surface fuel loading, decadent brush and rugged terrain remain a substantial safety concern. Crews are also being supported by US Forest Service pack stock. There is currently no threat to life or property.

The horse coral at the Black Rock Trailhead is currently full, which is being used by the U.S. Forest Service pack stock.

The forest has ordered a closure of the following trails due to the fire and the substantial hazard created by falling snags:
· Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Jordan Hot Springs
· Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Lost Trout Creek (Beer Keg Meadow)
· Redrock Meadows to Templeton Cow Camp
· Redrock Meadows to Little Whitney Meadow

August 19, 2017 at 2:31 PM

There was a slight increase in acreage due to a short run on the interior of the fire perimeter.

Crews are continuing to mop-up hot spots. Pumps and hoselays are in place to continue securing handlines and protect nearby cabins in Long Canyon and Ninemile Creeks if needed. Mop-up operations continue on the southwest corner and south side of the fire.

Firefighter safety is the top priority. Snags (standing dead trees), heavy surface fuel loading, decadent brush and rugged terrain remain a substantial safety concern. Crews are also being supported by US Forest Service pack stock. There is currently no threat to life or property.

The horse coral at the Black Rock Trailhead is currently full, which is being used by the U.S. Forest Service pack stock.

The forest has ordered a closure of the following trails due to the fire and the substantial hazard created by falling snags:

•Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Jordan Hot Springs
•Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Lost Trout Creek (Beer Keg Meadow)
•Redrock Meadows to Templeton Cow Camp
•Redrock Meadows to Little Whitney Meadow

August 15, 2017 at 8:34 AM

The Indian Fire is estimated to be 2,536 acres and 10% contained. It continues to grow slowly to the north and east.
Fire crews have started constructing indirect and direct handline on the north end of the fire where the fire has moved out of the 2002 McNally Fire footprint and its associated snag fields. Snags (standing dead trees) remain a substantial safety concern. Crews are taking all necessary measures to avoid this hazard.

Crews are using trail systems and natural barriers for containment using Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to help protect wilderness character in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Crews are being supported by US Forest Service pack stock. There is currently no threat to life or property.

August 13, 2017 at 10:03 AM

Yesterday, the fire became established on the west side of Redrock Creek and burned steadily throughout the day to southern Toowa Ridge. Fire behavior remains moderate with backing, flanking, and short-range spotting observed.

Crews can use Toowa Ridge for a better and safer opportunity to scout and construct direct handlines. Crews continued direct and indirect handline along a ridge to the Cold Meadows Trail on the northern flank. The fire continued to burn with little to no intensity on the west flank allowing direct handline to be started from the top of the ridge to the south towards Nine Mile Creek.

Although the fire has started moving out of the high intensity 2002 McNally Fire footprint, snags (standing dead trees) remain a substantial safety concern. Crews are taking all necessary measures to avoid this hazard. Crews are using trail systems and natural barriers for containment using Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to help protect wilderness character in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Crews are being supported by US Forest Service pack stock. There is currently no threat to life or property.

The forest has implemented an emergency closure of the following trails due to the fire and the substantial hazard created by falling snags:

· Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Jordon Hot Springs

· Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Lost Trout Creek (Beer Keg Meadow)

· Redrock Meadows to Templeton Cow Camp

· Redrock Meadows to Little Whitney Meadow

Smoke is visible and drifting into the southern Owens Valley between Olancha and Lone Pine as areas throughout the southern Sierra, including the Kennedy Meadows and Kern River Valley. Smoke settled into Lone Pine and Olancha yesterday evening.

August 11, 2017 at 7:14 AM

Aerial resources continue to check the fire’s growth during the day. Crews are being inserted to scout potential safe containment lines. Crews will look to trail systems and natural barriers that can be used for containment.

The fire is burning in the 2002 McNally Fire footprint. Snags (standing dead or dying trees) present a substantial safety concern for fire crews and they will not be working in areas that are unsafe because of these snags. There is currently no threat to life or property.

August 9, 2017 at 12:15 PM

The Indian Fire is estimated to be 421 acres and 0% contained. It continues to grow slowly to the north and east. Three helicopters are being used to cool the fire’s edge and slow fire growth to confine and contain the fire.

The fire is burning in the 2002 McNally Fire footprint in whitethorn brush and Jeffrey pine at 8,400 ft. Snags (standing dead or dying trees) present a substantial safety concern for fire crews, so only aerial resources are being used at this time.

Fire behavior includes creeping, smoldering, and backing between dead and down trees with moderate uphill runs when slope and fuels align. Aerial resources are checking the fire’s growth during the day, however the fire continues to grow slowly overnight.

There is currently no threat to life or property.

The forest has implemented an emergency closure of the following trails:

• Casa Vieja to Red Rock Meadow via Jordon Hot Springs
• Casa Vieja to Red Rock Meadow via Lost Trout Creek (Beer Keg Meadow)
• Red Rock Meadow to Templeton Cow Camp
• Red Rock Meadow to Little Whitney Meadow

These closures are due to the fire and due to the substantial hazard created by falling snags. Hikers are advised to avoid this and the nearby area during the fire response. Fire crews are using Jordon Hot Springs for fire operations.

Smoke is visible and drifting into the southern Owens Valley near Olancha as well as areas throughout the southern Sierra.

The fire appears to be lightning-caused and ignited on August 2. It is burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness, near Indian Head Peak, north of the Jordon Hot Springs