The Ball Mountain Fire is estimated to be 25 acres this morning. The fire is burning in pinyon and brush. The fire is located near Ball Mountain, north of Kennedy Meadows and west of Tunawee Canyon. The fire is highly visible from Highway 395 near Olancha, the Coso Junction area, and Kennedy Meadows. The fire is burning in a remote area in the South Sierra Wilderness and there is currently no threat to life or property. Smokejumpers, the Inyo Hotshots, and Inyo Engine 41 crew are being inserted today to begin fireline construction. Additionally, a Type 1 helicopter, a Type 2 helicopter, and air attack are committed to the fire. The crews’ focus will be on the southeast flank of the fire to secure an anchor point and to prevent the fire’s spread into Long Canyon. Crews will take advantage of natural barriers (rock) and previous fires (including the 2008 Clover Fire) for line construction to contain the fire to the north and west.
This is a lightning-caused fire from the storm that passed through the area on Saturday.