Owens River, Inyo National Forest

Owens River, Inyo NF. Ten miles northeast of Mammoth Lakes, CA. Timber, brush and short grass. Minimal fire behavior. Road closures in effect.

September 27, 2016 at 9:54 AM

The Owens River Road remains closed and the public is asked to stay out of this area to keep it safe for firefighters who are still working in the vicinity. The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated and those areas remain closed.

September 24, 2016 at 9:41 AM

Today, crews will work on extinguishing some hot spots on the southern edge of the fireline, and some burning continues in the interior of the fire. Firefighters are mopping up and backhauling equipment. Demobilization will continue throughout the weekend. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal. Warmer and dryer weather is predicted for the weekend.

Fire officials will open some roads to public traffic northeast of the fire area today. The Owens River Road remains closed and the public is asked to stay out of this area to keep it safe for firefighters who are still working in the vicinity. The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated and those areas remain closed.

There are 9 hand crews, 19 engines, 2 helicopters, 2 dozers, and 5 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 354 personnel working on the incident.

The cost of the fire is estimated to be $3,900,000.00. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This will be the final daily update and the next update will be when there is something significant to report.

September 23, 2016 at 9:09 AM

Minimal fire activity occurred overnight with cooler temperatures helping to keep the fireline in check. Crews began demobilizing on 9/22 and will continue throughout the weekend. Today, firefighters will be mopping up and backhauling equipment in all divisions. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal. There is a a warming and drying trend predicted throughout the weekend.

Fire officials will be opening up some roads to public traffic outside of the fire area starting tomorrow (Saturday). The Owens River Road remains closed and the public is asked to stay out of this area to keep it safe for firefighters who are still working in the vicinity. The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated and those areas remain closed.

September 23, 2016 at 8:39 AM

Isolated showers will persist into the early evening before diminishing by 9 pm. Clearing is expected late tonight as high pressure begins to build into the area. Dry conditions will settle over the fire area starting today (Friday). Below average temperatures will warm to well above normal by the end of the weekend. Winds shift to the northeast tonight and become light over the weekend.

September 22, 2016 at 9:26 AM

Crews monitored the fire overnight anticipating predicted strong winds. The fire area received light precipitation but it did not penetrate the forest canopy. No significant growth occurred and containment lines held well.

The chance of isolated showers remain in the forecast for today. A cold front is expected to follow the predicted high winds later today.  Crews will patrol the fireline and continue to mop up in all divisions. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal today with cooler temperatures throughout the day.

September 22, 2016 at 9:13 AM

Minimal growth expected in the next operational period. Potential threats still exist due to forecasted winds.

Evacuated several groups within popular climbing area, recreation area and residents adjacent to the fire.

Owens River Rd. and Big springs CG closed.

Fire received light precipitation overnight.

Additional threat to sage Grouse Habitat.

September 21, 2016 at 6:45 PM

Today was cool and cloudy with isolated showers over the fire area and fire behavior was minimal with isolated areas of smoldering. Crews continued mop up today, concentrating their efforts along the western flank and near structures and developments. Crews are gridding for hot spots 200 ft. interior of the line and are aided by infrared maps that help direct them to areas that retain heat.

The chance of isolated showers is expected tonight. A cold front passage with significant winds is anticipated to come in after midnight.  Crews will patrol the fireline tonight and mop up if safe. Cooler temperatures are expected tomorrow.

September 21, 2016 at 8:19 AM

Patchy cloud cover remained over the fire last night and humidity recovery improved. Crews patrolled fireline and mopped up where safe. Crews will continue these efforts today, concentrating their efforts on any areas of remaining heat along the fireline and near structures and developments. Crews are gridding for hot spots 200 ft. interior of the line.

Today will be cooler with a chance of showers. Crews are on alert for strong cold front passage with significant winds is that the forecast for this evening and through Thursday. Cooler temperatures are expected starting Thursday.

September 20, 2016 at 6:38 PM

The new acreage is a reflection of better mapping and excludes green islands (areas interior of the perimeter than have not burned).

Today was cooler with patchy cloud cover moving over the fire, light rain over the northern portion of the fire, and winds in the afternoon.  Overall, the fire behavior was moderate and crews were able to strengthen firelines, concentrating their efforts on areas of heat along the fireline and near structures and developments. Crews continue to mop up, gridding for hot spots within the line.

Crews tonight will patrol and monitor the fireline and mop up where safe.

The weather forecast for the tomorrow is for cooler temperatures, and increase in relative humidity, and a chance of isolated thunderstorms. A strong cold front with significant winds is in the forecast for Wednesday evening and through Thursday.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is substantially diminished.

There are 16 hand crews, 48 engines, 7 helicopters, 6 dozers, and 7 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 636 people assigned to the incident.

The cost of the fire is estimated to be $1,186,500.00. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

September 20, 2016 at 8:55 AM

Last night, crews made good progress to contain and mop up spot fires and work the active edges of the fire and that effort will be ongoing today. The fire remains active on the west, north, and east flanks and crews will focus on these areas. Crews will strengthen firelines and mop up along the line where safe to do so.

The weather forecast for the coming days will remain hot and dry and wind remains a concern. These conditions will continue to test containment lines.

Four uninhabited outbuildings, several pieces of heavy equipment, and a vehicle were destroyed during the initial response.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is visible, although diminished, from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It will settle in the valleys at night under the cool inversion layer.

September 19, 2016 at 8:15 PM

Today, fire behavior moderated. However, winds continue to challenge containment lines. Crews responded to a handful of small spot fires this afternoon along the southeast and northeast flanks, which air resources and crews on the ground were able to contain. Crews also made good progress on containing and mopping up along the western flank, which was very active in the past few days.

Tonight, crews will remain focused on containing these spot fires as well as strengthening firelines, patrolling, and mopping up where possible.

The weather forecast for the coming days will remain hot and dry, with potential winds. These conditions will continue to test containment lines.

Four uninhabited outbuildings, several pieces of heavy equipment, and a vehicle were destroyed during the initial response.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It will settle in the valleys at night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 11 hand crews, 48 engines, 7 helicopters, 6 dozers, and 7 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 536 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

September 19, 2016 at 8:44 AM

Last night, crews focused on the active western flank and worked on containing several spot fires and slop overs caused by the afternoon winds yesterday. Crews worked on containing these areas and hose lays were put in place. Crews monitored the southern flank and have begun mop up operations along the Owens River Road.

Today, crews will remain focused on containing these spot fires along the western flank to better strengthen this fireline.

Crews will strengthen firelines, patrol, and mop up along the north, east and south flanks.

Today’s weather remains hot and dry with the potential for increased winds from the southwest with a storm front passage.

Four uninhabited outbuildings and several pieces of heavy equipment were destroyed during the initial response yesterday.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It will settle in the valleys at night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 9 hand crews, 48 engines, 3 air tankers, 7 helicopters, 3 dozers, and 6 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 483 people assigned to the incident.

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

September 19, 2016 at 8:13 AM

Evacuations of several groups completed
Active to extreme terrain driven fire behavior
Steep and rugged terrain and proximity to threatened structures and travel corridors
Additional threat to sage Grouse Habitat
Phonelines within incident have burned/and or damaged
Owens River Rd. closed and Big springs CG closed.

September 18, 2016 at 6:31 PM

Today, crews continued to develop and strengthen containment lines. Hot, dry conditions and wind increased fire activity in the afternoon. The fire grew along the northeast flank and interior islands of fuel also burned actively. Fire crews tied the fireline from the Owens River Fire to the recent Clark Fire, which will provide an effective control line for a portion of the northern flank.

Tonight, crews will continue line construction, building out from the south and west flanks to further contain the fire. These evening operations are particularly effective when the fire “lays down” at night with cooler temperatures and allows fire crews to more safely respond to the fire. Crews will monitor the southwest flank to ensure that lines hold and continue protection of ranches and developments in the area.

Four uninhabited outbuildings and several pieces of heavy equipment were destroyed during the initial response yesterday.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It will settle in the valleys at night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 9 hand crews, 48 engines, 3 air tankers, 7 helicopters, 3 dozers, and 6 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 483 people assigned to the incident.

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

September 18, 2016 at 8:29 AM

Last night, crews took advantage of the cool temperatures, which moderated fire behavior, to scout and develop containment lines–focusing their efforts along the Owens River Road to protect nearby private developments and ranches. They were able to conduct strategic burning operations to strengthen lines along the south and west flank to improve control lines near the Owens River Road. The recent Clark Fire is an effective barrier to spread along the northern flank.

Fire staff also worked to help visitors who were recreating nearby to safely leave the area.

Today, crews will continue to develop and strengthen containment lines. Hot, dry conditions, and afternoon winds are in the forecast for today.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. Only personnel responding to the fire should be using the Owens River Road. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke will be highly visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It settled in valleys last night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 3 hand crews, 14 engines, air tankers, a helicopter, a dozer, and a water tender assigned to the fire and additional resources have been ordered. There are 250 people assigned to the incident.

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

September 17, 2016 at 4:59 PM

Fire crews are responding to the Owens River Fire. The fire is estimated to be 500 acres. It is burning in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine.

The fire is burning north of the Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395. Smoke is highly visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining.

Crews are focusing their efforts along the Owens River Road to protect nearby private developments and ranches.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated.

There are numerous hand crews, engines, air tankers, a helicopter, and a water tender assigned to the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.