Breaking News: Silver Fire Updates

Breaking News: Fire at Silver Canyon Road

UPDATE 5:37 PM Tuesday April 1:

From CAL FIRE: “The Silver Fire is currently burning in grass and brush and has now reached 1,611 acres due to more accurate mapping. Containment has improved to 60%, as fire crews continue to make steady progress.

Evacuation warnings remain in place as a precaution while crews work to secure the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters are actively engaged in mop-up operations and strengthening containment lines to ensure full control of the fire.”

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UPDATE 6:59 PM:

Size: 1,589

Containment: 47%

From CAL FIRE: “The Silver Fire continues to burn in grass and brush in Inyo County, with moderate growth since this morning. Firefighters have successfully stopped the forward spread.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place as threats persist to structures, critical infrastructure, endangered species, watersheds, and cultural and heritage resources. The incident is in Unified Command with CAL FIRE, Bishop Fire Department, and Inyo County Sheriff’s Office. Crews will remain engaged overnight to strengthen containment lines and monitor for hotspots. Incident command will continue to monitor the inclement weather that is expected over the fire through tomorrow morning.”

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UPDATE 6:20 PM:

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UPDATE 2:43 PM:

The fire is currently at 1250 acres with 0% containment. There is a 20% chance of rain with thunderstorms forecast. Winds are blowing from the West at 13mph with up to 38mph gusts. Cal Fire has a damage inspection team on site now and we are awaiting further updates.

— Matthew Graham

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UPDATE 7:27 AM:

Size: 1,250 acres

Containment: 0%

From CAL FIRE: “The Silver Fire continues to burn actively in Inyo County, with fire behavior intensifying overnight. Strong winds and terrain alignment contributed to significant fire growth, threatening structures, critical infrastructure, endangered species habitats, watersheds, and cultural and heritage resources.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for Laws in Inyo County, Chalfant in Mono County, and the White Mountain Estates neighborhood.

Air and ground resources have been significantly increased to support suppression efforts. However, strong winds—gusting up to 35 mph at Bishop Airport—continue to create challenges, grounding some firefighting aircraft and complicating containment operations. A High Wind Warning is in effect through 9:00 p.m. PDT, with southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 65 mph expected.”

NOTE: As of Sunday evening, zone MCU-E039 was rezoned. Chalfant in zone MCU-E039-A is no longer under an evacuation order. White Mountain Estates in zone MCU-E039-B remains under evacuation order. Continue checking Genasys Protect and Watch Duty for current evacuation orders.

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UPDATE 6:59 AM Monday 3/31:

From Caltrans District 9:

“U.S. 6 is now open in both directions between Bishop and Benton.”

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UPDATE 12:00 AM Monday 3/31:

View from Bishop:

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UPDATE 8:45 PM:

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UPDATE 7:00 PM:

The Tri County Fairgrounds and Events Center will be available for Evacuated Animals.  Winds have died down to 8mph with gusts of 28mph.

FROM CAL FIRE: “A damage inspection team has been ordered, as of right now we do not have a number of structures damaged and as of tonight we have 0% containment. Incident command has continued the balance of resources due to predicated winds overnight.”

FROM SHERIFF’S OFFICE: “At this time we have no new updates other than we are keeping an eye on evacuations. CalFire shared a few moments ago that 0% contained but fire has slowed in north side but still active fire. Additional helicopters have been requested.”

Northern Evac Point:

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UPDATE 5:30 PM:

Fire is up to 150 Acres. The Evacuation site is the Bishop Senior Center behind Bishop City Park.

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UPDATE 4:05 PM:

Fire protection around Laws is ongoing.

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UPDATE 4:00 PM:

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UPDATE 3:39 PM:

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UPDATE 3:34 PM:

From Inyo County Sheriff’s Office:

EVACUATION ORDER
Residents in the following zones must evacuate IMMEDIATELY:
ICU-057-B
ICU-065
ICU-087-B

EVACUATION WARNING
Residents in the following zones should be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen:
ICU-017-B
ICU-087-E

EVACUATION Center: Bishop Senior Center

For Emergency Updates visit: https://ready.inyocounty.us/pages/lawsfire

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UPDATE: 3:21 PM

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UPDATE: 3:12 PM

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UPDATE: 2:59 PM

From Inyo County Sheriff’s Office:

VEGETATION FIRE ALERT- SILVER FIRE
There is an active vegetation fire across from the Laws Museum. Emergency personnel are on the scene. AVOID the area

ROAD CLOSURES in effect:
Highway 6 northbound and southbound
Silver Canyon Road
Jean Blanc Road

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At around 2pm a brush fire was reported about 500 ft off Highway 6 at Silver Canyon Road. At time of arrival the fire had spread to roughly 1 acre with multiple units on scene. A call for trucks from Big Pine and Chalfant went out immediately. The winds are roughly 30 mph with gusts up to 65mph.

Highway 6 has been closed as of 2:45pm.

The fire has jumped Highway 6 and is also on the eastern side.

Updates to follow.

— Matthew Graham

News Staff