Horseshoe, Inyo National Forest

Horseshoe, Inyo NF. Transfer of command from IMT 2 (Laeng) back to local unit will occur today. Twelve miles southwest of Lone Pine, CA. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering.

August 15, 2016 at 11:33 AM

The Inyo National Forest, in conjunction with fire personnel, has reopened the Horseshoe Meadow Road up to Horseshoe Meadow. All campgrounds and trails have also re-opened.

Crews will still be working in the fire area and visitors are asked to please be aware of emergency equipment when travelling on that road. Slow down for your safety as well as the safety of fire crews working in the area.

August 15, 2016 at 7:11 AM

All divisions will patrol and continue mop up as needed. Suppression repair and haul back is being conducted in all divisions.

Lighter winds along with cooler temperatures expected on Monday. Winds will return to a upslope/up valley component with East to Southeast winds 5-10 mph. Highs reaching 65 to 70. Minimum humidity will remain low with readings ranging from 6-11%.

August 13, 2016 at 9:51 AM

Pockets of fuel continue to burn throughout the interior of the fire. A ridge of high pressure will gradually build over the fire area during the next few days. This will result in warmer temperatures and a continuation of very low daytime relative humidity values along with gusty upslope winds during the afternoon and evenings.

Planned actions: Patrol, strengthen and improve hand lines. Mop up as needed. Suppression repair needs are being evaluated and a plan developed.

August 12, 2016 at 7:33 AM

Limited Entrance for Horseshoe Meadows

Fire personnel with the Horseshoe Fire will be allowing limited entrance to Horseshoe Meadows for those people who have a demonstrated need to be in the area. This would include people that need to retrieve their vehicle from trailhead parking, people who were unable to collect their personal camping equipment during the evacuation, those picking up hikers with stock, or those who have stock in the area that need care.

Traffic control will be provided on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon. People will need to check in and check out with security at the gate at Lubkin Canyon Road at which point ten vehicles will be allowed in at a time for safety management. Law enforcement officers will be present to implement the plan. All visitors must be checked back out by noon (therefore, it is highly advised that people plan to be at the gate at 9:00 am and by 10:00 am at the latest).

The road remains closed to other business. No one will be allowed to spend the night in Horseshoe Meadows Campground and the trailheads out of Horseshoe Meadows remain closed.

There are still fire crews working along this narrow road and people should anticipate delays and one-lane traffic. Please honor the spirit of this entrance for those who need to get into Horseshoe Meadows. Your cooperation will help assist in getting the road fully re-opened as soon as possible.

August 11, 2016 at 8:09 AM

Cool weather and high relative humidity allowed firefighters to make good progress on fireline construction overnight. Today, firefighters will strengthen and improve firelines, patrol and mop up further into the interior of the fire.

August 10, 2016 at 6:38 PM

The Horseshoe Fire started yesterday afternoon towards the top of the Horseshoe Meadow Road, just east of the developed recreation campgrounds, near Last Chance Meadow. It is estimated to be 400 acres and 25% contained.

The weather is expected to cool down tonight along with higher relative humidity, allowing firefighters to continue their efforts in constructing handline along the fire perimeter.

The fire is burning at 9,000 feet in elevation in mountain mahogany, lodgepole pine, and sage.

A mandatory evacuation of Horseshoe Meadows Campgrounds (Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, the Horseshoe Equestrian Camp and Golden Trout Camp) remains in effect until further notice. Hikers and campers returning from the wilderness, will be escorted out.

The Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lakes Trailheads are closed and the forest has suspended issuing permits for the popular trailheads at this time. There is also a hard closure of Lubkin Canyon Road and Horseshoe Meadows Road.

Responding agencies include Inyo National Forest, Inyo Sheriff’s Office, Lone Pine Fire, Bishop Fire, Independence, CalFire, BLM, CHP, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Fighting the fire include: 6 hand crews, 16 engines, 2 air tankers, 5 helicopters, air attack and lead planes assigned to the incident. There are approximately 266 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be human caused.