More Tulare County evacuations as Windy Fire burns Sequoia forest. KNP Complex wildfire grows
UPDATE: National Park Service provided updates on the size of the Windy Fire and KNP Complex Friday at 9 p.m. Friday. The Windy Fire grew to 62,702 acres burned with 5% containment and the KNP Complex grew to 40,112 acres.
ORIGINAL STORY: Officials issued new evacuation orders early Friday for the Windy Fire, which has now burned 49,053 acres in the Sequoia National Forest.
The wildfire on the Tule River Indian Reservation is 6% contained.
After issuing a warning Thursday, Tulare County officials on Friday ordered evacuations for the communities of California Hot Springs and Pine Flat areas, which includes M-504 at Tyler Creek, southeast to Pine Flat, west to M-56, Fire Control Road,north to Tyler Creek Road, Sugar Loaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Saw Mill, White River, Idlewild, Posey, Panorama Heights, Poso, Balance Rock, Spear Creek, from the existing Hot Spring Evacuation Order west to King George Peak, south to County M56, including Oak Flat, Twin Peak, to Vincent Ranch at the Tulare-Kern Counties Border, east to Portuguese Peak, and back north to Dunlap Meadow.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office says that an evacuation order means an immediate threat to life, safety, and property and all residents and visitors must leave before the fire reaches the community.
Anyone in need of assistance in the evacuation may call 911.
If you are unable to evacuate your domestic animals, call Tulare County Animal Shelter Manager Cassandra Heffington at 559-679-6222.
The temporary evacuation point is at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave. Individuals with RVs or Trailers may find information about where they can park at the College, or go to the International Agri-Center 4500 W. Laspina in Tulare, Gate D, where dry camping is allowed.
Road closures are in effect at Jack Ranch Road and Old Stage Road; Highway 190 and Rio Vista; MT99 at Gold Ledge Campground; and MT56 at Fountain Springs.
KNP Complex
The KNP Complex Fire has scorched 36,850 acres since lightning sparked the blaze on Sept. 9, and has drawn more than 1,500 firefighters and other personnel to the Sequoia National Forest, the National Park Service said Friday.
It grew about 8,522 acres over the last 24 hours, mostly in the Ash Mountain area, where a burning operation took place to protect park buildings and infrastructure.
Seventeen dozers are operating in the Hartland/Wilsonia area to open old roads for better fire access and improve control operations. Burnout operations have happening in the Crystal Cave area to reduce fuels between the fire and the Hidden Fire burn scar. Crews are also preparing for burnout operations in the Park Headquarters area near Ash Mountain and Paradise Ridge, and north of the Mineral King Road. Those should happen in the next few days as conditions permit.
Sequoia National Park is closed to the public and large portions of Kings Canyon National Park have also been closed. Communities further from the parks are feeling air quality impacts, according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
Officials say if you can see or smell smoke or ash, then you can assume the air quality is bad.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was in Sequoia National Park on Thursday to visit the site of the KNP Complex Fire. He signed a $15 billion-plus climate package.
This story was originally published September 24, 2021 at 8:52 AM.
