Fresno County residents in Creek Fire burn scar under evacuation alerts as storm nears
An evacuation warning was issued Sunday for the Fresno County portion of the Creek Fire burn scar area due to the threat posed by an approaching severe winter storm.
Mudslides, rockslides and debris flow are possible. Roads may become impassable during this storm event.
The county “decided to place the entire Creek Fire burn scar area into evacuation warning status,” the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office tweeted Sunday afternooon. “An evacuation order has been issued for Big Creek Canyon from below Big Creek to the San Joaquin River.”
People and property near streams and other watersheds are at an elevated risk and should consider leaving at this time. And in all cases, do not attempt to cross moving water.
The Creek wildfire burned nearly 380,000 acres in the mountains of eastern Fresno and Madera counties in fall 2020, leaving affected lands with little to no vegetation on the ground.
Flooding watch begins Sunday
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Sunday evening into Monday morning.
Periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected, especially Monday morning. The heavy rains could bring potential mud and debris flows over recent burn scar areas in Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern Counties.
That includes areas affected by wildfires this year and last, including the SQF Complex, KNP Complex, French and Windy fires, as well as the Creek Fire.
This story was originally published October 24, 2021 at 3:02 PM.
