Creek Fire updates: Almost 4-week-old wildfire nears 310,000 acres; structure crews in north

Evacuation orders and warnings continue to be lifted in areas affected by the Creek Fire as residents begin to repopulate and some businesses expect to reopen by the weekend.

It remains the largest single-fire incident in California (309,033 acres with 44 % containment as of Thursday evening, according to Cal Fire), and the sixth largest when including complex fires. The North Complex Fire, for example, has burned 314,949 acres in Plumas and Butte counties since it started in August. It is 79% contained.

The Creek Fire started the evening of Sept. 4 and since has destroyed 855 structures near Big Creek, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Mammoth Pool and the San Joaquin River canyon. As of Wednesday night, it had burned 307,051 acres and was 44% contained.

▪ There seemed to be little movement on the SQF Complex Fire on Wednesday. The month-old fire, which includes the Castle and Shotgun fires, grew by a tiny margin while its containment remained at 61%.

As of Thursday morning the fire had burned 151,436 acres in and near the Sequoia National Park and forest. The primary objective for firefighters continues to be full perimeter control under a full suppression strategy, according to CalFire.

▪ The Bullfrog Fire, burning east of Shaver Lake near Courtright Reservoir, continues to be at 1,185 acres burned and 50% contained, according to incident reports.

2:25 p.m.: Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau announces fundraiser

The Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau announced a campaign, Rebuild Our Sierra, to raise at least $1 million to help affected communities rebuild from the Creek Fire.

Donations can be made online at rebuildoursierra.org. Donation requests can also be made through the website for those in need of help.

“The majority of the people who suffered the greatest loss are the ones who have lived in the hills for years,” said Dylan Johnson, president of Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau, in a statement. “This was their primary residence and they’ve lost everything. From the ashes we will help them rise and rebuild. As a community we can only grow stronger.”

The visitors bureau said every dollar raised will be given to the community and individuals affected by the Creek Fire. The nonprofit said it was formed over 10 years ago and covers zip codes 93602, 93605, 93664, 93643 and 93667.

10:45 a.m.: Structure protection crews in Portuguese Creek and Jackass Meadow areas

Containment remained a priority in the southern zone of the Creek Fire on Thursday. Hand crews were deployed in areas where dozers cannot due to the terrain. Officials said the static weather pattern (hotter than normal and dry) could mean more active fire behavior, including flare-ups, upslope runs in unburned green islands within the fire interior and short-range spotting.

Officials anticipate challenges with containment along the higher elevations where there is steep terrain and increased wind speeds.

In the northern zone, removal of hazardous standing dead trees continues along the primary roads within and adjacent to the fire area supporting safe access. The structure protection group continues to work throughout the fire area including in the Johnson Meadow, Arnold Meadow and Strawberry Mine areas. Crews will be in the Portuguese Creek and Jackass Meadow areas on Thursday.

The fire continues to be active, but confined, within the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

On the northwestern edge, crews completed a successful backfiring operation on Wednesday, connecting and filling in the containment line. Firefighters continue to secure this edge, mopping up and increase the containment line depth.

10:15 a.m.: Fire grows by under 2,000 acres overnight

The Creek Fire grew by just under 2,000 acres Wednesday night. By Thursday morning officials updated the fire’s reach to 309,033 acres with no growth in containment.

It remains 44% contained with full containment not expected until the end of October.

8 a.m.: Above average temperatures, unhealthy air for weekend

A Fire Weather Watch went into effect Wednesday night in Monterey County and the North Bay and gusty winds could be experienced in the Sierra and foothills, though the Central Valley should see more of the same on Thursday in terms of weather patterns and the affects of the wildfires on air quality.

That means temperatures higher than the seasonal norms and air quality in the unhealthy level. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is predicting unhealthy air across the bulk of Central Valley counties. Tulare and Kern county are expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

As of 7 a.m., Fresno’s AQI was 141. By 8 a.m., it had reached 151.

That’s where the air quality peaked on Wednesday, according to the website IQAir. PM2.5 particulates were at level three, where sensitive individuals should exercise indoors or avoid vigorous activities.

On Tuesday, the District warned residents to stay indoors to reduce their exposure to particulate matter emissions from the SQF Complex the Creek fires, but also the Glass Fire in Napa County. The direct effects of the smoke is expected to continue into next week., though smoky conditions will persist until the fires are extinguished.

Weekend access for Sierra forest evacuees

The Sierra National Forest High Sierra Ranger District and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will allow individuals who were evacuated from campgrounds, camping areas and cabins during the Creek Fire a chance to return and collect their belongings this weekend.

Access is being given so residents can clean out refrigerators, winterize their homes and move back off the forest.

The following schedule is when areas will be allowed access via permit on both Saturday and Sunday:

▪ 7 a.m.–1 p.m.: Mckinley Grove to Wishon to Courtright Roads.

▪ 2 p.m.-6 p.m.: Dinkey and Rock Creek areas

▪ 7 a.m.-7 p.m.: Huntington Lake and Camp Sierra areas.

▪ 7 a.m.-7 p.m.: Access granted to those needing to remove their boats

Time frames allotted will be strictly enforced, officials said.

Sierra National Forest law enforcement and the sheriff’s office will sweep the area to be sure that no parties are deciding to hang out, loiter, or observe the burned areas of the Creek Fire.

For more information, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.

Sequoia National Park reopening

Sequoia National National Park is reopening Thursday as evacuation warnings have been lifted for most of Three Rivers near the SQF Complex Fire.

The reopening includes the Generals Highway from the Ash Mountain entrance station into Sequoia National Park to Highway 180 in Kings Canyon, and national park areas, trails along this route, including the Giant Forest.

The exceptions are Mineral King area and some wilderness lands, which will remain closed because of wildfire concerns and facilities that are closed because of the coronavirus.

Sequoia National Forest remains closed. as does the Sierra National Forest.

This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 8:40 AM.