Sequoia wildfires: KNP Complex crosses Generals Highway; Windy Fire containment holds

The KNP Complex Fire has been burning in California’s Sequoia National Park for nearly a month.

So far, it has burned 85,952 acres, is just 11% contained and continues to prompt new evacuation orders.

On Thursday, a new type one incident management team was dispatched to the wildfire and firefighting operations were split into a northern and southern zone to better support suppression efforts, according to the incident’s daily update.

On Wednesday, the fire crossed a portion of Generals Highway on the northern perimeter, but was caught by crews securing handline around the fire’s edge. Crews were able to stop forward progress on the western edge, where there was a 75-acre growth.

Light winds, a slight decrease in temperature and increase in relative humidities are expected to help moderate fire behavior and slow any spread on Thursday. Rain is possible over the fire Thursday night into Friday morning with snow forecast in the higher elevations.

Windy Fire update

Farther south, the slightly larger Windy Fire continues to burn, as firefighters hold containment at 75%. The incident was reported at 97,514 acres Thursday with full containment expected by Oct. 14.

Containment lines are holding on most of the perimeter, according to the fire’s daily update Thursday. Resources are being committed to three sections where the fire is most active: in the west, on the Tule River Indian Reservation between Cold Springs Creek and County Road J42; in the east, between Tobias Creek and Ant Canyon; and in the north, between Coy Creek and the Bear Creek tributary.

On Thursday, the process began to open access for into sequoia groves in the fire interior and to assess their condition.

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 12:41 PM.