Indian Fire Burns East of Mono Lake
Release Date: Aug 9, 2012 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Nancy Upham
A thunderstorm that passed through the Eastern Sierra Wednesday afternoon ignited a lightning fire about five miles southeast of Mono Lake, north of Highway 120, on Bureau of Land Management public lands The Indian Fire is burning in sagebrush and grass and is currently about 1,000 acres.
The Indian Fire started at about 2:00 Wednesday afternoon, and as of 9:00 p.m. is 15 % contained. Crews initially hit the fire hard and were supported by four airtankers, two helicopters, an air attack and a lead plane.
Wednesday night crews remained in full suppression mode on the fire where 6 engines, 4 handcrews, 2 water tenders and 2 dozers are fully engaged. Participating agencies include BLM, the Forest Service, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CalFire, and the Lee Vining Volunteer Fire Department.
Although no structures are located in the area, the fire is burning in sage grouse habitat and crews will continue to aggressively suppress it.