Creek Fire updates: More Fresno County evacuations lifted; containment tops 40%

In just under one month, the Creek Fire has burned more than 300,000 acres along both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Pool, Shaver Lake, Big Creek and Huntington Lake.

It is the largest single-fire incident in California history and the sixth largest when including complex fires, like the North Complex Fire currently burning in Plumas and Butte counties.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Creek Fire since sparking Sept. 4 had consumed 305,249 acres and was 44% contained.

It was at 304,604 acres and 39% containment Monday night. The cause remains under investigation.

There currently are 3,675 personnel working the situation.

▪ Containment of the nearby SQF Complex Fire, which includes the Castle and Shotgun fires, shot up by 8% percent on Monday night. As of Tuesday morning, CalFire reported 58% containment. The fire has been burning in and near the Sequoia National Park and forest for more than a month and has scorched 150,800 acres.

▪ The Bullfrog Fire continues to be monitored east of Shaver Lake near Courtright Reservoir. As of Monday night, it had burned 1,185 acres and was 50% contained.

4:30 p.m.: Re-entry to property for certain owners

Residents in zones F9C and F9D who had their homes destroyed will be granted temporary access to their properties Wednesday.

Check-in to receive a pass begins at 8 a.m. at Foothill Elementary School (29147 Auberry Road). Passes will not be issued after 1 p.m.

The sheriff’s office said that all must be checked out by 4 p.m.

Those with property in zones F9C and F9D but whose home was not destroyed will not be admitted.

Official identification and a document providing residency, such as a driver’s license, is required to receive a pass.

2:10 p.m.: More evacuation notices lifted; land and road closures continue in national forests

Evacuation orders were lifted for 10 more areas of Fresno County on Tuesday. They include zones F7AA, F7G, F9A, F9I, F9J, F9k, F9L, and F10C, F10D and F10E. All evacuation orders and corresponding zones can be viewed online on the Creek Fire evacuation map.

While these zones are now open, some of them may be impacted by closure orders the U.S. Forest Service has in place for lands and roads with Sequoia and Sierra national forests. Those orders were extended last week and are place until Sept. 30.

Those returning into those areas should identify where they need to go ahead of time so they do not run into unexpected restrictions.

12:45 p.m.: Valley air at its ‘worst’

The Valley Air District on Tuesday declared air quality in the central San Joaquin Valley has never been worse and urged residents to stay indoors.

“This has been really exceptional, and I would say this is the worst air quality wildfire period that we’ve ever had,” said Jon Klassen, director of air quality science and planning, during a video news conference.

While predictions called for moderate air quality, Fresno found itself with deteriorating air quality on Tuesday. As of 12:45 p.m., the Air Quality Index was at 161, in the unhealthy range. The level of PM2.5 particulates jumped into level four. Everyone should avoid prolonged or vigorous outdoor activities.

12:30 p.m.: Evacuation orders lifted for two more areas in Fresno County

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced evacuation orders have been lifted for two more areas within the Creek Fire.

They include Zone F1O along Peterson Road and F7E, which contains Big Creek and the Big Creek Edison Hydroelectric Plant and both sides of Huntington Lake Road from Camp Sierra Road to Stump Springs Road in the north.

The sheriff also announced the closure of Huntington Lake Road at Musick Peak Road and Highway 168 at South Fork Tamarack Creek.

The full evacuation map with zone designations an be found online.

Those returning to the area are encouraged to drive slowly and obey traffic controls. Fire crews and utility companies are still in the area. Watch for trees and electric poles with deep charring. They should be considered hazardous.

10:45 a.m.: Crews work to keep fire north of Kaiser Pass

Thanks to changing weather conditions Monday, the Creek Fire saw activity on its eastern portion near the 80 Road and Potter Pass. The goal Tuesday is to keep the fire north of Kaiser Pass, though progression is expected to slow as the fire moves into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, where there is less fuel.

In the northern zone of the fire on Monday, a two-acre section of slop-over was quickly incorporated into the fire line and a one-acre spot fire west of Whiskey Falls Campground was contained with the help of helicopter water drops. The area east of Central Camp and south of Little Shuteye Peak continues to be monitored Tuesday. The fire as been hung up in the rocks in that location for nine days.

In the Ansel Adams Wilderness, spot fires are occurring on the northwest side of the fire, torching pockets of vegetation interspersed within the granite, though the fire activity occurring on the northern end of the fire is very light, according to a CalFire update.

Cattle in and around the fire area are being rounded up and moved and those in the area should be aware of cattle, those working with cattle, fire personnel and other hazardous conditions when returning to the fire area once it re-opens.

9 a.m.: Fire, containment grows overnight

The Creek Fire grew by more than 600 acres Monday night and into Tuesday morning, while containment on the fire grew by 5%, according to CalFire update. As of Tuesday, the fire has burned 305,240 and is 44% contained.

8:15 a.m.: Air quality begins to dip in Fresno

Smoke will continue to affect the Valley’s air quality through the week. How bad those affects will be depends on the fire activity close to home and whether the transport of smoke from distant fires makes it this way, according to the National Weather service forecast discussion for Tuesday.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is predicting moderate air quality for the bulk of the region on Tuesday, save for Tulare and Kern counties, which are expecting air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The air quality in Sequoia National Park and Forest areas is predicted to be unhealthy.

That’s already proving to be somewhat wishful, as the Air Quality Index in Fresno reached 122 on Tuesday morning, a level that is unhealthy for those in sensitives groups. The PM2.5 particulate level in Fresno pushed just into level three, the highest it has been in nearly a week. Sensitive individuals should exercise indoors or avoid vigorous outdoor activities.

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 8:57 AM.