Lightnng Storm starts many fires

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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: (559) 539-2607
Twitter: @sequoiaforest

Lightning Storm Starts Several Fires in Sequoia National Forest

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST, August 19, 2013—As of 1 p.m. today, twelve lightning caused fires have been discovered burning in the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. The largest, located in the Kern River Ranger District is called the Shirley Fire, located near the Shirley Meadows Ski area. This fire has grown to 400 acres and is threatening Alta Sierra. Road closures soon in effect are Alder Creek Road and Campground, Rancheria Road (between Highway 178 and Highway 155), Evans Flat Campground, and Oak Flat Lookout.

The Tenant Fire, near Tenant Springs on the Kern River Ranger District has grown to approximately 200 acres and is burning through grass and brush towards Oak Flat Lookout. Additional fires discovered on the Kern River Ranger District are Badger, burning near the Tenant Fire, Cow Fire burning in Cow Creek, and the Lucas Fire. The Badger, Cow, and Lucas Fires are all less than 1 acre in size.

Above Springville, lightning strikes started five new fires on the Western Divide Ranger District, Giant Sequoia National Monument. The Blue fire, located near Blue Ridge Lookout has been lined and is being extinguished. Firefighters are working to put fire line around the Pack and Windy Fires near the Pack Saddle Grove. Smokejumpers assigned to the Porterville Air Attack base jumped into two small fires located on Black Mountain. Both the Creek and Black fires were single trees struck by lightning with small ground fires underneath them. Firefighters are currently assigned to each fire and are working to put them out.

Two lightning caused fires were discovered burning on the Hume Lake Ranger District, one in the Monarch Wilderness. As firefighters become available they will be moved around to put out these two fires and any others that are discovered. Storms continue to pass through the southern sierra mountains and bring the threat of lightning, erratic winds, and more fires. Forest Service Fire Lookouts and aircraft will continue to look for more fires as the storms come through the area. Lightning caused fires can go undetected for days or weeks until forest materials dry enough to allow flames to spread to the surface.

Visitors are asked to call ahead to check on conditions and obtain weather forecasts prior to travel in the mountains. Please contact the Kern River Ranger District (760) 376-378, the Western Divide Ranger District (559) 539-2607 or the Hume Lake Ranger District (559) 338-2251 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For latest fire and weather updates please check on the World Wide Web www.inciweb.org

Denise Alonzo, Acting Forest Public Affairs Officer
Giant Sequoia National Monument
Sequoia National Forest
1839 S. Newcomb, Porterville CA 93257
559-784-1500 ext. 1112