Kings Canyon National Park to partially reopen as KNP Complex Fire containment grows

Kings Canyon National Park is set to partially reopen as containment of the KNP Complex Fire grows.

Park officials on Friday announced that due to successful suppression operations and favorable weather conditions, a majority of Kings Canyon National Park and some wilderness areas of Sequoia National Park will reopen for public use on Monday, Oct. 18.

All developed areas of Sequoia National Park remain closed.

The following areas and services within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are reopening to the public: Big Stump Entrance Station on Highway 180; the majority of Grant Grove, including the General Grant Tree; Kings Canyon Visitor Center Information Desk (exhibits, shop, and theater remain closed); Cedar Grove; Kings Canyon Wilderness except for Redwood Canyon; areas east of the Great Western Divide in the Sequoia National Park wilderness; and South Fork in the Sequoia National Park wilderness.

The following areas and services in Kings Canyon National Park will remain closed: All areas south of the intersection between Highway 180 and the Generals Highway, including Redwood Canyon; all Grant Grove concessions including restaurant, market, lodging, and gift shop; all NPS campgrounds in Cedar Grove and Grant Grove; Park Ridge Trail; and Big Stump picnic area.

Park officials warned that the water system in the Kings Canyon National Park have been impacted and there will be no running water available in the park until operations are restored in later October.

Sequoia National Park will remain closed until further notice.

The KNP Complex in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Forest was started by lighting Sept. 10 and has since burned around 87,786 acres, with no growth since Wednesday, and containment at 45%.

Fire officials said that little to no forward fire progression is expected on the fire in the next two days.

This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 5:31 PM.