Update: Fire near Giant Sequoia National Monument has doubled in size

A lightning-caused wildfire southeast of Visalia has now doubled in size, burning 400 acres near the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, six crews of 20 firefighters walked into the Castle Fire, burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness on Friday, but were unable to stop the spread due to steep rocky terrain, fire behavior and winds. On Saturday, firefighters scouted to assess risks at the Forks of the Kern Trailhead, Jerkey Meadow Trailhead and facilities along Lloyd Meadow Road, the Forrest Service said.

An Incident Management Team has been ordered and is expected to arrive over the next few days, according to the Forest Service.

The fire has been growing mostly to the northeast towards the Little Kern River, though it was observed from the air spreading towards the west. An air tanker and retardant drops stopped that spread. Emergency closures are in place for Jerkey Meadow and Forks of the Kern Trailheads and current wilderness permit holders have been notified, according to the Forest Service.

U.S. Forest Service fighting blaze

While the Castle Fire had been reported by Cal Fire on Friday, it was no longer listed as an incident on the Cal Fire website on Saturday

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This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 3:11 PM.