Rough Fire now 31 percent contained, still near 86,000 acres

Containment of the Rough fire increased to 31 percent Sunday, remaining the largest fire in California at 85,894 acres.

On Saturday, the fire reached Kings Canyon National Park, about 1.5 miles away from Cedar Grove, a small development of rangers headquarters, campgrounds, lodge, store and restaurant on Highway 180 near the eastern end of the canyon.

Fire burned across the Lewis Creek drainage Saturday and pushed northeast. Crews protecting structures around Cedar Grove began a burn operation around the water treatment plant and camp to direct the fire around the structures. More crews were assigned Sunday in case the fire progresses east.

The fire started with a lightning strike July 31 in the Sierra National Forest, five miles north of Hume Lake in the Kings River Drainage. Now 1,967 people are fighting it, down from 2,038 on Saturday.

Parts of Grant Grove and Wilsonia are open, including the General Grant Tree, Panoramic Point, visitor center and trails. Previously announced closures remain in effect, including Jennie Lakes Wilderness, Monarch Wilderness and Sequoia Highlands. Road closures include McKinley Grove Road at Wishon Dam and Trimmer Springs Road at Kirch Flat.

Smoke from the fire began to settle in mountain valleys and canyons Sunday, making for unhealthy to hazardous conditions in most of the surrounding mountain area. Similar conditions were forecast for Labor Day.

This story was originally published September 6, 2015 at 5:56 PM with the headline "Rough Fire now 31 percent contained, still near 86,000 acres."