Sierra National Forest Lions Fire Update for Thursday, July 5, 2018

Details: Last Updated: Thursday, 05 July 2018 18:37; Published: Thursday, 05 July 2018 09:47

County Fire smoke map 7 3 18
Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding areas are experiencing increased smoke impacts from the County Fire in Yolo County, while smoke output from the Lions Fire has decreased. Credit: Sierra National Forest - Inciweb

5:59 P.M. Update Basic Info. (below)

1:00 P.M. Updated Smoke Outlook (below)

10:00 A.M. Update: Due to decreasing fire operations, further updates will be issued only if warranted by a change in conditions.

The Lions Fire showed no growth yesterday and continues to be 4,000 acres and 60% contained. Crews remaining on the fire are reinforcing and securing the fireline, in order to ensure that it will hold as conditions become drier and hotter throughout the summer. Higher winds are projected for today and tomorrow, and crews are monitoring for threats to the line or spot fires. There are still unburned pockets of fuel within the unit, which will continue to be consumed in the coming weeks. A small amount of smoke production is likely to continue during this process, without creating significant impacts for nearby communities.

Air quality in Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding areas is expected to continue to be slightly affected by smoke from larger wildfires elsewhere in the state, such as the County Fire in Yolo County, CA. Residents and visitors are advised to limit their exertion outdoors should periods of heavy smoke occur.

As the need for active firefighting decreases, firefighters are reducing the impacts that fire operations have had upon the wilderness character of the area, a process known as “suppression repair.” Techniques may include repairing damaged trails, clearing cut trees and brush, or creating simple drainage structures to prevent erosion.

Located between the footprints of previous fires, the Lions Fire is contributing to diverse and healthy forest ecology. The area will ultimately be more resilient in drought conditions, and better protected against future wildfires.

July 4, 2018 - The Lions Fire grew to 4,000 acres yesterday and is now 60% contained. Crews have completed burn-out operations and are currently focused on improving and holding previously constructed fireline. Burning the areas between the main fire and constructed fireline helps reduce the potential for growth near the fire perimeter. Fire personnel are starting to demobilize as containment increases and firefighters shift to monitoring. Currently there are 5 crews and 5 helicopters committed to the fire. Smoke production from the fire is expected to continue to decrease in the coming days.

Air quality in Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding areas is being affected by smoke from larger wildfires elsewhere in the state, such as the County Fire in Yolo County, CA. Air quality readings in Mammoth Lakes remained in the “moderate” range throughout the day yesterday, with similar readings expected today. Residents and visitors are advised to limit their exertion outdoors should periods of heavy smoke occur.

The Lions Fire has burned with similar effects as the Butte Fire in 2017 creating a mosaic landscape within the fire perimeter. Over half of the fire area burned with low to moderate intensity, while small pockets of unburned fuels still remain in the interior. This mosaic pattern creates diversity within the landscape which is vital to ecosystem health and for wildlife habitat.

The following National Forest System Trails near the Lions Fire area have been temporarily closed: Sierra National Forest Trails No. 26E01 (Mammoth Trail) to the Inyo NF Boundary, 26E14, 26E56, and 26E46 from the Inyo NF boundary. Inyo NF trail closures include 26E01 from the Sierra NF to 2601 junction. Trail closures will remain in place until fire management staff determines that it is safe to reopen the area.

Shuttles to Devils Postpile National Monument and Reds Meadow Valley are running, and trails there are open. The Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail are open. Visitors should expect smoke impacts of variable intensity.

This fire reminds us that our forests are vulnerable to fire, so as we celebrate our nation’s independence today, remember that the use of fireworks are illegal on all national forests at all times.

For more information about the County Fire, visit http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2101

Air quality forecasts are available at https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

For more information about smoke conditions in the area, visit webcams at www.mammothmountain.com and the alert tab at nps.gov/DEPO

Source: Inciweb

5:59 P.M. Update:

Basic Information

Current as of	7/5/2018, 5:59:35 PM
Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Lightning Strike
Date of Origin	Monday June 11th, 2018 approx. 12:00 PM
Location	7 miles southwest of Mammoth Lakes
Incident Commander	Stephen Fillmore, Type 3 IC
Incident Description	The Fire Is Burning At Approximately 6000-8000' In Red Fir, Brush And Heavy Blowdown From A 2011 Wind Event.
Coordinates	37.571 latitude, -119.118 longitude

Current Situation

Total Personnel	188
Size	4,064 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	73%
Estimated Containment Date	Saturday July 14th, 2018 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved	Timber (Litter and understory) Brush (2 feet)
Significant Events	Moderate Flanking Isolated torching

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to monitor for rollout and spot fires. Utilize helicopter water drops to check fire in inaccessible terrain north and west of San Joaquin River. Begin suppression repair.
Projected Incident Activity	Interior islands continue to burnout.
Remarks	2,439 acres on the Sierra National Forest; 1,625 acres on the Inyo National Forest.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns

Warming with drying trend, with gusty W-SW winds are expected this week.

Update from 9:42 A.M.

Basic Information

Current as of	7/5/2018, 9:42:14 AM
Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Lightning Strike
Date of Origin	Monday June 11th, 2018 approx. 12:00 PM
Location	7 miles southwest of Mammoth Lakes
Incident Commander	Stephen Fillmore, Type 3 IC
Incident Description	The Fire Is Burning At Approximately 6000-8000' In Red Fir, Brush And Heavy Blowdown From A 2011 Wind Event.
Coordinates	37.571 latitude, -119.118 longitude

Current Situation

Total Personnel	252
Size	4,000 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	60%
Estimated Containment Date	Saturday July 14th, 2018 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved	Timber (Litter and understory) Brush (2 feet)
Significant Events	Minimal Isolated torching Creeping Smoldering

Outlook

Planned Actions	Crews will continue to improve and burn out control lines utilizing natural barriers to the extent possible. Continue to monitor for rollout and spot fires. Utilize helicopter water drops to check fire in inaccessible terrain north and west of San Joaquin River.
Projected Incident Activity	Fuels continue to consume within control lines, especially in thermal belts with poor recoveries and in dry fuels. Isolated torching possible.
Remarks	2,375 acres on the Sierra National Forest; 1,625 acres on the Inyo National Forest.

Current Weather

Weather Concerns

Warming with drying trend, with gusty W-SW winds are expected this week.

Air Quality Report 7-5-2018

Fire

Heavy dead and down fuels are highly susceptible to ember cast; isolated interior torching will remain a concern for spotting up to ½ mile each afternoon and evening. Although the fire has remained within containment lines for several days of wind testing, the possibility does exist for spotting and

holdovers.

Smoke

Impacts from California fires continues to decrease. Expect some haze today. Smoke from Lions Fire will be visible near the fire area. Impacts will be limited to evening hours when smoke descends to the surface.

Weather

Breezy afternoon and evening winds today through Friday will bring periods of hazardous fire weather conditions to western Nevada and northeast California. Winds weaken to more typical zephyr strength with hotter conditions for the weekend and early next week as an upper ridge builds overhead.
Lions Fire SNF smoke outlook 7 5 18

Inyo National Forest Temporary Trail Closures

Inyo NF trail closures include 26E01 from the Sierra NF to 2601 junction.

NOTE: Maps represent approximate information.
Lions Fire SNF fire map 7 5 2018

Source: Inciweb

Related information:

Sierra National Forest Lions Fire Update for Thursday, July 5, 2018

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