Forest fire managers have discovered a lightning-caused wildfire in the Golden Trout Wilderness near Lion Meadow. Approximately 600 acres have burned in the Lion Fire on both public and private land located in this remote wilderness area inside the Sequoia National Forest. There is currently no containment.
Part of Lion Meadow is privately owned by R.M. Pyles Boys Camp. Crews are implementing structure protection by constructing fireline as the wildfire burns within and around the private property.
“Suppression planning decisions are in alignment with a confine and contain strategy,” stated District Ranger Eric LaPrice. “Confine and contain is limiting the fire spread to a defined area primarily using trails and natural barriers. This strategy will limit risk to firefighters in this remote area scattered with standing dead trees.”
Additionally, fire managers will use Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to help protect wilderness character. At this time, there are currently no closures associated with this fire.
Backpackers should anticipate smoke settling into the valleys in the late evening and early morning hours. This is based upon inversion patterns that hold the smoke in low-lying areas. In the evenings, down canyon winds may push the smoke down the Kern River drainage.
Nearby communities may see and smell smoke. Fire managers will be working with the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District to monitor smoke emissions and their impacts.
Basic Information
Current as of 9/29/2017, 11:28:55 AM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Sunday September 24th, 2017 approx. 05:00 PM
Location Near Lion Meadow in the Golden Trout Wilderness, Sequoia National Forest
Incident Commander Jack Medina
Current Situation
Total Personnel 50
Size 600 Acres
UNIT INFORMATION
USFS Shield
Sequoia National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
1839 South Newcomb Street
Porterville, CA 93257
INCIDENT CONTACT
Denise Alonzo
Email: dalonzo@fs.fed.us
Phone: 559-539-2607 ext. 2212
Hours: Mon – Fri 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.