Creek Fire updates: Crews mopping up near Shaver, Huntington lines; wildfire at 291,426 acres

Thursday marked the 20th day of the Creek Fire, burning in the Sierra National Forest near Shaver and Huntington lakes and toward the southern border of Yosemite National Park.

As of Thursday evening, the wildfire was a 291,426 acres and 36 % contained, according to Cal Fire.

There also were 3,085 personnel assigned to fight the fire.

The fire had grown by 1,731 acres since Wednesday and its containment improved by 2 %.

Early Thursday morning, the fire had been reported at 291,426 acres, too, but was 34 % contained.

Full containment is expected at the end of October, even as more residents are being allowed into safe zones to survey damage and salvage belongings.

PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles said there were 782 customers without power still due to the Creek Fire.

▪ The nearby SQF Complex Fire, which includes the Castle and Shotgun fires, has been burning in and near the Sequoia National Forest for more than a month. The fires spread by just over 100 acres on Wednesday, as crews continued to add to its containment. As of Thursday morning, it had burned 144,826 and was 35% contained.

▪ The Bullfrog Fire, east of Shaver Lake near Courtright Reservoir, has jumped to 1,400 acres. As of Thursday morning, containment was at more than 40%.

5:30 P.M.: Proper ID needed for access to certain evacuation zones

Zones F5J, F5K and F5O remain in an evacuation order status, but are now color-coded orange, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced.

That means those zones are open for residents only to move back in, but only if they have a permit.

To acquire a permit, these residents can report to Foothill Elementary School, 29147 Auberry Road, Prather, CA 93651 from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. Friday.

Official identification and a document proving residency are required to obtain the permit. If your driver license does not contain your current address, bring a utility bill or something similar as we need proof of your address to allow you back in to your property.

Permit is only valid for access to your property.

Evacuation Map website: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=28ce52cb86bf49dea0adef5a78b3c1b5

12:30 p.m.: Evacuations orders, warnings lifted in Fresno County zones

Evacuation orders were lifted in two zones within the Creek Fire on Thursday and evacuation warnings were lifted in a dozen more, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Zones F1QB and F1SB are no longer under evacuation orders. Evacuation warnings have been lifted for zones F1J, F5GA, F5F, F5H, F5I, F5L, F5M, F5N, F13C, F13D, F13E and F6A.

At the same time, the sheriff’s office and county officials continue working to identify safe re-entry zones within the burn area. These designated areas are located inside zones where evacuation orders are still in place but are deemed safe enough for short-term visits, enabling residents to survey damage and salvage items.

Another three zones were identified for re-entry starting 8 a.m. Friday. Those zones include F1M, F1TE and F2JB.

Only residents of those zones who have had their homes destroyed will be grated access and must provide identification and proof of residence. Check-in is at Foothill Elementary School, 29147 Auberry Road in Prather.

Fresno County has issued a hazard advisory and strongly suggests no one live on destroyed property until they are declared clear of hazardous waste and structural ash and debris. Residents re-entering these areas should understand it is hazardous, wear protective gear and minimize time of exposure.

A complete list of evacuation orders, warnings and zones can be found on the Creek Fire Evacuation map.

11 a.m.: No change in perimeter around Shaver, Huntington lakes

There has been little change to the fire perimeter along the southern zone of the Creek Fire, CalFire said in a Thursday morning video update.

Firefighters are supporting reentry and repopulation efforts along Highway 168 and were finally able to tie line from 168 at Tollhouse back up Cripps Road to the fire’s edge and are confident that area is no longer a threat.

No changes were seen on the perimeter east around Shaver Lake toward Dinkey Creek, though crews will continue mop-up operations in the area.

There is fire line in the area around China Peak and fire crews do not anticipate the fire moving north. They are keeping an eye on, and have resources around, Kaiser Pass Road because is it a critical access route.

There were no changes in the Huntington Lake area as mop-up efforts continue.

The High Sierra Ranger District is working with cattle permittees and beehive owners to collect their animals. Rangers are also working with water masters to check facilities in Huntington and Meadow Lakes. They are also working to clear the Stump Springs area for firefighter access and for cattle permittess who need to gather cattle.

8:45 a.m.: Fire continues to burn in the north, and eastward toward Dinkey Lake Wilderness

The Creek Fire will progress south and could reach the Portal Forebay, while eastern portions of the fire will continue to progress towards Dinkey Lake Wilderness, according to a CalFire update Thursday morning. The southern portion of the fire should completely burn out to control lines as intended and progression will slow as fuels become reduced in the high higher-elevation rock and smolder in the heavier fuels.

Completing containment remains a priority in the south, with patrols continuing to mop up hot spots near within the fire perimeter while prepping structure defense within threatened areas.

The perimeter around the north zone was active overnight, but the smoke layer moderated fire behavior. The northern-most portions of the zone will progress until the fire runs into areas of rocks formations, reducing available fuel to burn.

On the west flank, firing operations around Central Camp and Whisky Falls earlier in the week added to the fire behavior, but were planned and accounted for. On Thursday, fire activity is concentrated in the Whisky Falls and Central Camp areas (due to those firing operations), Beasore Creek, Upper Chiquito, Timber Knob and Cora Creek.

8 a.m.: Air quality continues to improve

Despite the multiple fires, the air quality in the central San Joaquin Valley is expected to improve Thursday to moderate levels in most of the region and “good” in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties, according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

As expected, the outliers are Fresno County and the Sequoia National Park and forest area, which are predicted to have AQIs at levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups.

As of 7 a.m., the AQI in Fresno was “good” and the level PM2.5 particulate was at level where outdoor activity was OK for all groups.

An Air Quality Alert is still in place for the region and will remain until the fire have been extinguished and on Tuesday the Air Pollution Control District urged residents to continue to take caution when headed outdoors.

This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 9:06 AM.