Creek Fire live updates: Containment rises to 22%; more evacuation orders, warnings ease
The Creek Fire, burning in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Forest, was at 248,256 acres in Fresno and Madera counties and 22% contained as of a Friday night update.
Nearly 3,000 fire personnel are assigned in a two-front battle divided at the San Joaquin River.
Fire officials warn that strong winds, which are expected to increase within the next several days, combined with dry weather conditions, may encourage the fire to grow. Full containment of the Creek Fire, located among the communities of Shaver Lake, Big Creek, and Huntington Lake, and other fires in the Sierra National Forest, is not expected until mid-October.
About 250 U.S. Marines and sailors will be deployed into the region to help fight the ongoing fire, the second military support effort initiated this month. The Marine unit from Camp Pendleton began fire training on Thursday.
The Creek Fire has forced a total of 1,024 families to evacuate from the region.
▪ The Sequoia Complex Fire that ignited a month ago on Aug. 19 in the Golden Trout Wilderness Area of Sequoia National Forest has burned at least 129,000 acres and was at 12% containment as of Friday evening, Tulare County Fire Chief Charlie Norman said.
Evacuation warnings remain in effect for the remaining areas of Three Rivers that do not fall under the mandatory evacuation order and within the community of Springville, which includes all areas between Globe Drive and Balch Park Road as well as Silver City and Mineral King.
▪ The Bullfrog Fire, which has been burning for a little more than a week 43 miles northeast of Clovis situated on the eastern fringe of the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness west of Courtright Reservoir, has burned 900 acres and was at 0% containment as of Friday morning. Rain overnight in the area did not have a significant effect on the fire.
Due to a strong inversion layer, the fire has grown very little since it first began on Sept. 9. An inversion layer is the air mass above the fire, caused by winds that push the smoke up and out, creating a layer that sits above the Valley.
Currently, there is a low to moderate threat to Courtright Village. Firefighters have constructed a control line has along with a hose lay to protect Courtright Village if the fire moves south to protect structures. The village is located on the northwest part of Courtright Reservoir and consists of 50 residential structures.
9:15 p.m. Weather helps crews in north zone
Operations section chief Chris Delaney said during Friday night’s Facebook Live update on the Creek Fire that it was “a great day” in the north zone. Some rain helped crews there.
“We didn’t see much fire growth up there, at all,” he said. It was also notable that “we did have some clearing of smoke.”
He said Friday was the first time in 12 days that crews were able to peer through the haze and be able to see the water in Bass Lake.
9:05 p.m.: Repopulating efforts in Fresno County
Fresno County authorities are making plans to allow residents to return to areas evacuated due to the Creek Fire.
“The fire is still raging in our mountain communities,” Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said as part of his opening remarks for a 6 p.m. Friday virtual Town Hall. “But there’s been much containment. Many properties have been saved. And we recognize some properties have been lost.
“But it’s never too early to talk about recovery.”
The Town Hall’s goal was “to provide information regarding re-population and recovery efforts on the Creek Fire and address community needs and available resources.”
Fresno County Sheriff’s public information officer Tony Botti warned that just because photos or video might not show any more signs of fire in a particular area, there still could be safety concerns. He reiterated the need to respect roadblocks and closures, with violators of the blockades already having faced arrest.
“We have lots of heavy equipment that’s on the road,” Botti said. “We have a hazmat situation to deal with, utilities. We want to get all of that infrastructure in place so you can safely navigate back home.
“The last thing we want to do is re-evacuate you.”
8:45 p.m.: Update on Mammoth Lakes coming Saturday
The U.S. Forest Service’s 7 p.m. Saturday Facebook Live session is titled “Informational Update for the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Surrounding Areas.”
Many viewers during Friday night’s fire update indicated that Mammoth Lakes was among their key concerns.
Those interested can find the video when it goes live here.
8:30 p.m.: Latest on Creek Fire destruction, damage
The Creek Fire has destroyed more than 840 structures and damaged 71, Cal Fire incident commander Nick Truax said during Friday night’s update.
He said the damage inspection is now 90% complete and provided the following partial breakdown:
▪ Single family residence: 496 destroyed; 39 damaged
▪ Multi family residential: five destroyed; four damaged
▪ Mixed commercial residential: 56 destroyed; one damaged
▪ Commercial structure: 18 destroyed; 12 damaged
▪ Minor outbuidlings: 268 destroyed; 15 damaged
8 p.m.: Putting the big blaze in context
The perimeter of the fire is 275 miles, Cal Fire official Mike Wink said, a significant increase from Monday when he estimated it to be 243 miles.
If it were to be stretched into one long line, Wink noted at the Friday night briefing, it’d be more than the drive to Los Angeles (256 miles) or San Francisco (201 miles).
“That’s just an idea on how many pieces of the puzzle all the first responders in the north and south zones are trying to put together,” Wink said.
7 p.m.: News conference under way
The new containment total was among the early updates provided Friday night.
Total acreage remained unchanged from the morning update. As evacuation orders continued to relax into advisory-level warnings, there was growing optimism.
An earlier video town hall, meanwhile, focused on Fresno County’s re-population and recovery efforts, attempting to address community needs and provide information on available resources.
5 p.m.: Bass Lake residents can obtain pass
Bass Lake area residents, as well as those who live along the Road 225 corridor and Cascadel, are advised to obtain an entry pass for faster access at the traffic control points.
This will prevent deputies from having to check identification at the control points.
Extra staff will be at the Oakhurst Substation, 48267 Liberty Drive, on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to issue the passes.
Identification and proof of residence will be needed, as well as the make, model, color, and license plate number of your vehicle.
The passes are not required for entry. Deputies will still accept other proof of residence at the traffic control points.
4 p.m.: What to do with spoiled food in North Fork
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Madera County Road Department and the Chawanakee Unified School District, placed dumpsters for spoiled food in North Fork for community use.
The dumpsters are at North Fork Town Hall, 33060 Road 228 in North Fork.
3:30 p.m.: Evacuation updates in Madera County
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced that evacuation warnings were lifted for the following areas:
▪ M1 (Kerckhoff Lake)
▪ M29 (South end of North Fork)
▪ M30 (Downtown North Fork)
▪ M46 (Road 223)
▪ M47 (Timberview)
Check out the evacuation map for the latest updates: http://bit.ly/creekfireevacmap
For more information about specific zones, call 844-668-3473
3:00 p.m.: Fresno County declares local health emergency
Fresno County officials on Friday declared a local health emergency due to waste, debris and ash containing hazardous substances resulting from the Creek Fire.
The order went into effect at 3 p.m.
Debris and ash from structure fires can contain hazardous substances such as building materials that include siding, roofing titles and insulation. The smoke also includes pollutants from household items such as paint, gasoline, cleaning products ,pesticides, compressed gas cylinders, and chemicals. which can result in dangerous ash that contains toxins such as lead, asbestos,heavy metals, and other hazardous materials.
The hazardous material in the ash can cause an increase in mortality and early death as well as an “increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness,” according to public health officials. The chemicals and pollutants from a wildfire can expose residents and the workers cleaning the debris out to toxic materials and cause other significant health problems.
In addition, the debris in surrounding areas of the fire can threaten the local community’s water supply.
The emergency declaration will enable local officials to allocate additional resources to the health department. It will remain in effect for a week unless the Fresno County Board of Supervisors decides to extend it.
2:20 p.m.: Fresno County evacuation orders lifted
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced evacuation orders were lifted and reduced to warnings for the following areas:
Zone F5B: The south boundary is Burrough Valley Road between Tollhouse Road to the west and Burrough North Road to the east. The zone extends northeast and ends south of Hidden Hollow Lane. The west boundary is on the east side of Tollhouse Road.
Zone F5C: This zone includes the neighborhood west of Burrough Valley Road and north of Larkspur Road. This zone includes properties from Theresa Springs, Hitching Post, Kimberly, Nancy, and Bonneyview Roads located west of Burrough Valley Road.
Zone F5E: The south boundary lays south of Seminole Road. The north boundary lays south of Theresa Springs Road and includes the south side of Burrough Valley Road. The east boundary lays just east of the intersection of Burrough Valley Road and Seminole Road.
Zone F5F: The south boundary includes both sides of Sandpiper Road. The west boundary is Burrough Valley Road and continues north to its intersection with Burrough North Road. The north and east boundary consists of the south side of Burrough North Road and ends at its intersection with Spence Lane.
Zone F5H: The south boundary is on the north side of Burrough Valley Road in between its intersection at Sandpiper Road and Sycamore Road. The north boundary consists of the south side of Burrough North Road. The east boundary is west of the intersection of Burrough Valley Road and Sycamore Road.
Zone F5I: The south boundary lays just south of the ends of Fallen Oak Road and Fallen Oak Lane. The west boundary is just west of the intersection of Burrough Valley Road and Fallen Oak lane. The north boundary includes the south side of Burrough Valley Road. The east boundary begins at the intersection of Watts Valley Road and Sycamore Road.
Western portion of zone F5GA: North of Burrough North Road, east of Tollhouse Road, south of the intersection of Tollhouse Road and Lodge Road, west of Duncan Canyon Road including all tertiary roads. The eastern portion, which includes all tributaries of Rebel Hill Lane from 31876 Rebel Hill Lane through 31881 Rebel Hill Lane, remains under an evacuation order.
Evacuation warnings have been completely lifted in the following areas:
Zone F3A: South Boundary lays north of Tollhouse Road. West Boundary includes properties on Van Vleet from the west side of Tollhouse Road. The north boundary is south of the intersection of Tollhouse Road and Lodge Road. The east boundary includes properties west of Tollhouse Road.
Zone F3B: Located on the south side of Lodge Road., between the east of Wintermute Lane and west of the Tollhouse/Lodge Intersection.
Zone F3C: Includes both sides of Black Mountain Road South of Lodge Road between Sierra Hills Baptist Church and Wintermute Lane.
Zone F3D: Located on the north side of Tollhouse Road, east of Loper Valley Road, West of Pittman Hill Road.
The Following Road Closures are in effect beginning 2:00 p.m. Friday:
▪ Maxon Road at Trimmer Springs Road
▪ Sycamore Road at Watts Valley Road
▪ Highway 168 at Lodge Road
▪ Lodge Road at Tollhouse Road
▪ Auberry Road at Jose Basin Road
▪ Duncan Canyon Road at Burrough North Road
For more information on evacuation orders, warnings and road closures, visit the Creek Fire map.
1:17 p.m.: Forest Service to relax closures
The U.S Forest Service said it will end temporary closures of some national forests across California, with limited access beginning 8 a.m. Saturday.
Nine national forests will open, including the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and Eldorado, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta-Trinity, Stanislaus and Tahoe national forests. Each forest will have its own order that will either limit dispersed use or disclose closures around fires.
Nine other forests remain closed: the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, Inyo, Klamath, San Bernardino, Sequoia, Sierra and Six Rivers. Forest service officials will continue to review the status of each forest daily based on evolving fire and weather conditions.
Any ignition source including campfires and gas stoves at any forest throughout the state remains prohibited.
Despite the reopening, some officials warn that conditions could change quickly.
“We understand how important access to the National Forests is to our visitors,” said Randy Moore, regional forester for the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. “Continued closures are essential based on extreme fire conditions, critical limitations of firefighting resources, and to provide for firefighter and public safety.”
For more information on which sites are open, visit the U.S. Forest Service map.
10:25 a.m.: Madera County order reduced to warning
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office on Friday announced evacuation orders for area M7 have been reduced to evacuation warnings. Still, officials warn that residents in the area need to be aware there is a potential for evacuations and need to be prepared to immediately evacuate if conditions change. Residents need to monitor the situation and be prepared to take swift and immediate action.
These areas, starting Friday, were opened to residents only:
Cascadel Road between Peckinpah Acres Drive and end of the subdivision including all spur roads such as Cascadel Heights Drive, GR Trestle Court, Loma Linda Drive, Loma Linda Lane, Vista Drive West, Hillside Road, Cascadel Drive, Cascadel Lane, Cascadel Drive North, Cascadel Drive South and Waterfall Way.
10:17 a.m.: Historic Jones Store remains intact
The historic Jones Store at Beasore Meadows remains intact and unaffected by the fire’s spread. The shop and restaurant in Madera County, which has a history that dates back to nearly a century, is a popular tourist attraction and local favorite.
Firefighters have drawn a contingency fire line on the opposite side of the road. The fire’s edge is still about 1.5 miles away with a giant granite feature in between, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
8:55 a.m.: Air quality improves, smoke lingers in Fresno
Seven major wildfires burning in the San Joaquin Valley periphery will continue to blow large amounts of smoke into the region.
The National Weather Service predicts that strong, gusty winds over the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains will continue into the evening. Light showers are expected over the Sierra Nevada, surrounding foothills, and portions of the Valley until Friday afternoon.
The strongest winds are expected over the ridgetops and mountain crest, presenting additional challenges to containing the fire’s spread.
Daytime temperatures will hover around 70 throughout the weekend, a slight decrease from average Valley temperatures.
Poor air quality in most parts of the Valley will continue Friday into the weekend, hovering around the unhealthy range for most areas, except for San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties that remain within the moderate and unhealthy range for sensitive groups. Kings County’s air quality forecast predicts an improvement for Friday, falling below the 150 PM 2.5 mark. The air quality within the Sierra National Forest has worsened overnight, increasing into the “very unhealthy” range.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for areas east of the fire in Madera county.
Fresno’s air quality has improved as of 8 a.m., sitting between the “good” and “moderate” ranges due to light overnight rains and morning wind patterns, according to the National Weather Service. An air quality forecast continues to show unhealthy smoke conditions will prevail later on in the day and into the weekend as an unhealthy level for all groups.
“This break may be fairly brief,” said Heather Heinks, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and still pay attention to the air quality. We are definitely not out of the woods.”
Officials warn against excessive and vigorous outdoor activities and advise that sensitive groups exercise and remain indoors.
Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks closed Thursday to all visitors due to poor air quality and unhealthy smoke conditions.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 9:04 AM.