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French Fire
Release Date: Jul 30, 2014
French Fire
Summary
Fire crews were able to establish an anchor point on the left flank of the south end of the fire in the San Joaquin River Drainage. This anchor point will support the operations of structure defense in the Hogue Ranch and Kinsmans Flat area. Fire crews will continue to build containment lines on all sides of the fire using direct and indirect strategies. The fire is in steep and rugged terrain in the San Joaquin River drainage, which requires hand crews hiking in and being supported by helicopters and air tankers. Thunderstorms are predicted over the higher elevations, which is also a safety concern for firefighters due to erratic winds associated with the weather system.
The French Fire actively burned all night producing large amounts of smoke, which impacted local communities. Smoke is typically greater in the morning and evening hours. Plan outdoor activities for times and places with low smoke levels. Up-slope breezes occur during the day, which will often take smoke into higher elevations. In the evening, these winds change direction and bring smoke down slope to lower elevations. For more information about smoke impacts, please visit the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Districts website at: http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm
Shuteye Peak Lookout reported the French Fire on the morning of July 28, 2014. The French Fire is burning east of last years Aspen Fire.
Evacuations
Several Forest Service and private campgrounds were evacuated yesterday for public safety concerns. Several summer homes in the Hougue Apple Ranch and Wagner’s Resort were also evacuated. The impacted residences were able to make arrangements to stay elsewhere and there was not a need to open any shelters.
Closures
-Forest Road 4S81 (Minarets Rd) between Arch Rock and Redinger Overlook.
-Forest Road 6S01 (Grizzly Rd) between Beasore Rd and Minarets Rd
Forest Campgrounds Closures: Fish Creek, Rock Creek, Soda Springs, Mile High, Lower Chiquito, Windy Point, Sweetwater, China Bar, Placer.
For more information please contact the Sierra National Forest Public Affairs Team at (559) 297-0706 Ext. 4804