Creek Fire update, Oct. 18: Dry winds fueling fire as firefighters scout for flare-ups

The Creek Fire grew to 348,085 acres burned overnight with 60% containment.

Hot and dry conditions weather, coupled with light breezes, fueled the blaze and complicated firefighting efforts, fire officials said Sunday. A high pressure system is expected to keep conditions hot and dry through the end of the week.

Smoke also is expected to increase throughout the area, affecting visibility and air quality.

In the South Zone, there was little fire activity overnight. The active fire line remains confined to the northeastern area of the wildfire, and a precautionary structure defense plan has been put in place for Thomas Edison Lake. That potentially will include firing operations on Sunday evening to increase the defensible space around structures.

Fire crews also are working to secure the fire line around the Florence Lake area and patrol and mop up fire from Florence Lake to the North/South Zone break near Redinger Lake.

In the North Zone, the priority for fire crews on Sunday is to secure and improve the line around Red Top and from Upper Chiquito to the San Joaquin River.

The fire at the far north end has burned into the granite outcrops of the high country and continues to creep and burn available fuels, but forward progress has been stopped. Due to access issues and safety concerns, the area will be monitored by air.

As of late Saturday, a total of 346,477 acres had burned after growing by 1,608 acres overnight.

The cause of the Creek Fire, which started Sept. 4, remains under investigation. It has destroyed 983 structures and damaged 71 in Fresno and Madera counties, and 119 remain threatened.

The estimated date of full containment remains Oct. 31.

Smoke from the Creek Fire was expected to be heaviest in the Mammoth Lakes area on Sunday, reaching hazardous levels. Areas south and west of the fire would have air quality ranging from unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy from Ponderosa Basin to Millerton.

The highest levels are expected in locations nearest the fire, including North Fork.

SQF Complex Fire update

The SQF Complex Fire burning in Tulare County remained at 72% containment. A total of 69,297 acres have burned after increasing by 1,202 acres overnight.

The county has been added to the Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Wildfires in California, which provides individual assistance programs and resources for those impacted by the wildfire, which started Aug. 19 and was started by lightning.

Fire officials said the wildfire would continue to grow to the north in actively burning areas on Sunday in areas of significant tree mortality. Fuel models vary with elevation, and some have limited fire history – the 2002 McNally Fire burn scar, 2017 Pier Fire burn scar, and 2017 Schaefer Fire burn scar all contain mixtures of grasses and brush that contribute to the spread of the fire.

Mandatory evacuation orders remain for Alpine Village, Cedar Slope, Pyles Boys Camp, Redwood Drive, and Sequoia Crest.

Voluntary evacuation warnings are in effect for Camp Nelson, Pier Point, Ponderosa, Doyle Springs, Blue Ridge Drive between Balch Park Road and the Gate at Grouse Valley, Bear Creek Road from Rancheria Fire Control Road to the address of 44853 Bear Creek Road, Mineral King, Silver City and Balch Park Road from the intersection of Blue Ridge Drive to Battle Mountain Monument.

This story was originally published October 18, 2020 at 9:22 AM.