Iris, Aspen Springs

Iris, Inyo NF, USFS. Transfer of command from IMT 2 (CA Team 13) to the local unit will occur today. Three miles south of Aspen Springs, CA. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Area and road closures in effect.

July 27, 2020 at 6:57 AM

Crews continue to mop up and patrol throughout the fire area. The focus remains on the 10% of open fire line on northeast corner of the fire, where crews continue to make progress improving containment lines and mopping up in very rugged and steep terrain.

Today, many of the crews will be involved in fire suppression repair this is a process where crews work to reduce the risk of soil erosion from fire line construction and other suppression activities.

California Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 13 Mike Wakoski, Incident Commander would like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their continued patience and understanding as firefighters work to complete fire containment efforts.

Weather: Isolated thunderstorms remain in the forecast for this evening and into Monday which could bring more lightning to the area.

Opening of Closures: Rock Creek Road at Tom’s Place will reopen no later than noon today. Motorists are advised to drive with caution as fire equipment may be coming in and out of the area and firefighters may occasionally be near the roadway. Please drive slowly for firefighter safety! Please note that Iris Meadow and Holiday campgrounds remain closed for use by firefighters and equipment for the next several days.

All wilderness permits for the Rock Creek Canyon trailheads are being honored. This includes the Little Lakes (including the Mono Pass Trail that starts here) and Hilton Lakes Trailhead.

Mono County Sheriff, Inyo County Sheriff, Mono Public Works District II and the California Highway Patrol continue to monitor traffic in the area for safety.

July 26, 2020 at 12:39 PM

Overnight, fire activity remained minimal. Crews continue to hold and improve containment lines around the fire perimeter. Most of the fire has good containment lines. The focus remains on the 15% of open fire line on northeast corner of the fire, where crews continue to make progress improving containment lines and mopping up in very rugged and steep terrain.

Due to improved on the ground mapping, the acreage has been verified and adjusted to 120 acres.

California Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 13 Mike Wakoski, Incident Commander would like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their continued patience and understanding as firefighters work to complete fire containment efforts. The team and the Inyo National Forest continue evaluate the closure status with the primary concern being for firefighter safety as they continue to work along the road.

Weather: Thunderstorms remain in the forecast as a monsoonal pattern is continuing, with a 10-20% chance of developing which could bring more lightning to the area.

Closures: The Rock Creek Road is closed at Tom’s Place. All campgrounds in the Rock Creek Canyon have been evacuated. This includes Mosquito Flat, Rock Creek, Upper Pine Grove, Pine Grove, East Fork, Big Meadows, Iris Meadows, French Camp, and Holiday campgrounds. All resorts and cabins in the closure area have been evacuated.

All wilderness permit holders for trailheads starting in the Rock Creek Canyon have been cancelled through Sunday July 26th. This includes the Little Lakes (including the Mono Pass Trail that starts here) and Hilton Lakes Trailhead. Exiting hikers are being escorted out.

Mono County Sheriff, Inyo County Sheriff, Mono Public Works and California Highway Patrol continue to manage exiting traffic along Rock Creek Road and at Hwy 395. Please avoid the area for firefighter and public safety.

July 24, 2020 at 8:23 AM

Last night, fire activity was minimal, Firefighters overnight observed backing and creeping fire behavior. Weather overnight was favorable and winds were calm. 

Crews used this opportunity overnight to continue to construct containment line around much of the fire perimeter. The uphill, eastern flank of the fire has good containment line around it as does most of the western flank along the roadside. Crews continue to complete line through a short stretch of difficult terrain for full perimeter containment. 

Today, crews will continue to improve containment lines and work on cooling, or “mopping up” hot spots along the fire’s edge. 

Today, California Incident Management Team (IMT)13, Mike Wakoski Incident Commander assumed command of the fire at 6:00 am.  

Fire crews continue to work aggressively to suppress the Iris Fire, located east of Iris Meadows Campground and Rock Creek Road on the Inyo National Forest. This lightning-caused fire is currently 170 acres and is 60% contained. 215 firefighters are assigned, including 7 Hotshot Crews, 10 Engines, 5 Helicopters, and 1 Dozer.

California Incident Management Team (IMT) 13, lead by Incident Commander Wakowski, has inbriefed with the Inyo National Forest and took command of the Iris Fire this morning. This IMT will focus on managing this, and any additional fires in the area, allowing regular forest personnel to resume managing regular forest functions.

Road and Camping Closures: Rock Creek Road is closed at Tom’s Place. All campgrounds in the Rock Creek Canyon remain closed, including Mosquito Creek, Rock Creek, Upper Pine Grove, Pine Grove, East Fork, Big Meadows, French Camp, and Holiday campgrounds. All resorts and cabins in the closure area have been evacuated.

All wilderness permit holders for trailheads starting in the Rock Creek Canyon are being cancelled through Sunday July 26th. This includes the Little Lakes (including the Mono Pass Trail that starts here) and Hilton Lakes Trailhead. Exiting hikers are being escorted out.

Campers and hikers who are looking for alternative places to recreate on the Inyo National Forest can find other opportunities at recreation.gov.

Weather: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for the fire area today, mainly between 1pm and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Fire Restrictions: Campfires are currently permitted only in the steel fire rings located in developed campgrounds. Propane and gas stoves may be used when the user has a valid California Campfire Permit. Additional information is available on the Inyo National Forest Alerts and Notices Webpage.

July 24, 2020 at 7:10 AM

Fire crews continue to work aggressively to suppress the Iris Fire, located east of Iris Meadows Campground and Rock Creek Road on the Inyo National Forest. This lightning-caused fire is currently 170 acres and is 60% contained.  215 firefighters are assigned, including 7 Hotshot Crews, 10 Engines, 5 Helicopters, and 1 Dozer.

 A Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) has inbriefed with the Inyo National Forest and took command of the Iris Fire this morning.  This IMT will focus on managing this, and any additional fires in the area, allowing regular forest personnel to resume managing regular forest functions.

Road and Camping Closures: Rock Creek Road is closed at Tom’s Place. All campgrounds in the Rock Creek Canyon remain closed, including Mosquito Creek, Rock Creek, Upper Pine Grove, Pine Grove, East Fork, Big Meadows, French Camp, and Holiday campgrounds. All resorts and cabins in the closure area have been evacuated.

All wilderness permit holders for trailheads starting in the Rock Creek Canyon are being cancelled through Sunday July 26th. This includes the Little Lakes (including the Mono Pass Trail that starts here) and Hilton Lakes Trailhead. Exiting hikers are being escorted out.

Weather: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for the fire area today, mainly between 1pm and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Fire Restrictions: Campfires are currently permitted only in the steel fire rings located in developed campgrounds.  Propane and gas stoves may be used when the user has a valid California Campfire Permit.  Additional information is available on the Inyo National Forest Alerts and Notices Webpage.