KNP Complex Fire Update

The following is a press release from Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team on September 23rd, 2021.

Fire Stats

Acres:  33,046 acres (based on infrared flight)

Percent Containment: 0%

Start Date: September 11, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park

Resources:  1,518 personnel including 47 crews, 60 engines, 34 water tenders, and 21 helicopters

Current Information

The KNP Complex, ignited by lightning on the night of September 9 and reported two days later, continues to grow in Sequoia National Park.

Incident priorities for protection consist of life and property within Sequoia National Park, the Sequoia National Forest and surrounding communities followed by the protection of the Giant Sequoia Groves within the National Park and National Forest. There has been 4,718 acres of growth on the fire in the last 24 hours.

Resources continue to be allocated in alignment with incident priorities. Crews and equipment are particularly focused on direct and indirect line construction along the southern, western, and northwestern flanks of the fire today to protect adjacent communities.

Smoky conditions will persist today with some clearing expected in southern areas of the fire. Areas where smoke clears will see more active fire behavior in the afternoon. Terrain driven winds with gusts between 5-7 mph, and possibly as high as 10 mph, will continue today.

Air operations will continue to support ground operations as smoke conditions allow across the entire fire area.

Citizen Information and Warnings

A new evacuation warning was issued yesterday for the communities of Eshom and Heartland Camp. Areas currently under an evacuation warning are urged to be ready to mobilize and leave should the warning escalate to an evacuation order.

Explore a map of the areas warning or order at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies. A Red Cross evacuation center is located at the Woodlake Community Center at 145 Magnolia St, Woodlake, CA.

Sequoia National Park is closed to the public and large portions of Kings Canyon National Park have now been closed. Communities further from the parks are also feeling air quality impacts.

Track your local air quality at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/FresnoCA.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

News Staff