Firefighters continue battling fires in Sierra, Sequoia forests

Firefighters battling the Rough Fire in the Sierra National Forest saw no change in activity between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The lightning-caused fire started July 31 in the Fresno County portion of the Sierra southwest of the Spanish Mountain Wilderness. On Sunday it remained at 0 percent contained at 1,365 acres, requiring nearly 300 personnel.

On Saturday, the U.S. Forest Service reported the blaze didn’t pose a risk any structures but could threaten giant sequoias — the largest trees on Earth — and the area surrounding Hume Lake Christian Camps if it crossed the Kings River to the south.

No such danger was apparent Sunday. A incident update indicated crews made good progress completing the contingency line south of the Kings River. Helicopters continued to drop water drawn from Hume Lake along the southern edge to slow the fire’s advance toward the river.

The fire has not closed public access to Sequoia or Kings Canyon national parks, though visitors may experience smoke impacts in the Cedar Grove area. The Sierra National Forest also remains open. Smoke is impacting popular recreation spots such as Wishon and Courtright reservoirs.

Firefighters expect to have the fire contained by Aug. 22.

Cabin fire

The lightning-caused Cabin fire grew Sunday by 431 acres to 5,795 acres, burning Forest Service land in the Golden Trout Wilderness in Tulare and Inyo counties.

Seqoia National Forest reported interior islands had burned out, increasing the acreage affected. The perimeter of the fire has not grown.

Ground crews have reached the fire by hiking six hours. More than 450 firefighters battled the fire Sunday, with three injured.

It is 92% contained. Firefighters used natural barriers such as rock outcroppings, open areas of sparse fuels and water courses to confine the flames.

The western portion of the Golden Trout Wilderness, west of Trail 33E01, is closed. The trail is open from Lewis Camp to Kern Canyon Station.

This story was originally published August 9, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Firefighters continue battling fires in Sierra, Sequoia forests."