Re: Forks Fire Causes Evacuations in Bishop Creek Canyon

News Release
Forks Fire Causes Evacuations in Bishop Creek Canyon
US Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
Contacts: Nancy Upham (760) 873-2427

Bishop, CA (July 18, 2009)...As of 8:00 PM on Saturday July 18th a total of 21 wildland fires have been sparked within the Inyo National Forest in the Eastern Sierra region of Inyo and Mono Counties. Most fires have remained small but one incident 12 miles west of Bishop has grown to 300 acres and has forced the evacuation of several popular campgrounds in the Bishop Creek drainage.

The Forks Fire was started by a lightning strike at about 2:30 PM near Intake II, a small lake alongside State Route 168, 12 miles west of Bishop. As of 8:00 PM the fire had burned about 300 acres with no containment at this time. A total of 9 air tankers has been ordered to help suppress the Forks Fire, in addition to numerous other local, county, state and federal fire fighting resources.

The evacuation of nearly 100 campers went smoothly, according to Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze, in part due to an early voluntary evacuation request shortly after the fire began. At about 5:30 PM a mandatory evacuation order was issued for four Forest Service campgrounds in the vicinity of the fire. Those campgrounds are the Forks, Big Trees, Intake and the Bishop Park Campground.

Also at about 5:30 PM the fire crossed the state highway closing the road to traffic. Law enforcement units escorted evacuees out of the area as the fire started to move north. Voluntary evacuation orders are still in place at numerous other Forest Service campgrounds in the area around Lake Sabrina, South Lake and North Lake. Local law enforcement officers remain in the communities of Aspendell, South Lake and Starlite to monitor the fire, however none of the residents of these communities are being considered for evacuation at this time.

As fire conditions permit, evacuees may be able to return to their campsites to retrieve their camping equipment. Evacuees may check at the highway road closure on State Route 168 for information on road opening possibilities.

Additional information may be obtained from the Inyo National Forest at 873-2503 beginning at 8:00 AM Sunday July 19th.

Here is a link for a web cam to see the smoke from the fire. http://bishopweather.com/

US Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
Contacts: Nancy Upham (760) 873-2427

Bishop, CA (July 20, 2009) As of 8:00 this morning the Forks Fire burning in Bishop Creek Canyon is estimated to be about 2100 acres. Light rain fell on the fire late yesterday afternoon causing the relative humidity to remain high throughout the night, so the fire did not grow significantly.

A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for all campgrounds, resorts, marinas, and pack stations in the Bishop Creek drainage, as well as the residential communities of Aspendell and South Fork. Starlite remains under voluntary evacuation. Residents who leave Starlite will be allowed back in if they have proof of residency and have a reason for returning home.

The Evacuation Center in Bishop has been re-located to Pine Street School.

This morning between the hours of 10:00 and 12:00 AM, campers will be escorted in to the campgrounds that they were evacuated from in order to retreive their belongings. All must be back out of the canyon by 1:00 PM.

Fire managers and the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department will be evaluating the situation this afternoon and will attempt to make an announcement by 5:00 this evening regarding whether or not the evacuation will be lifted tomorrow. Please tune in to local radio stations KIBS, KSRW, and KMMT for updated information.

Fire Information is also available by calling 760-873-2503.

A Type II Fire Team from Southern California took over management of the Forks Fire at 8:00 this morning. Airtankers and helicopters will continue to support engines and handcrews working to contain the fire.

Trails Closed due to Forks Fire: Bishop Pass, Treasure Lakes, Tyee, George Lake, Sabrina Lake, Lamarck Lake, Piute Pass.

Inciweb page: http://inciweb.org/incident/1747/

News Release
US Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
Contacts: Nancy Upham (760) 873-2427

Bishop, CA (July 20, 2009)...The Mandatory Evacuation of the Bishop Creek Canyon Recreation Area, due to the Forks Fire, will be lifted on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. for business owners, special use permit holders, and residents of Aspendell and South Fork. It is anticipated that Starlite will remain under a voluntary evacuation.

Tomorrow the Fire Management Team will continue to evaluate the situation and will determine what day the general public will be allowed to enter the Recreation Area. It is anticipated that it will be on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.

Incident Commander Ron Woychak advised that even though there is not much smoke visible from the fire, there are still a lot of hot spots and open line, and that flare-ups could happen at any time particularly if erradic winds accompany more thunderstorms. There is also a lot of emergency equipment travelling on the roads as they access the fire. Public safety and fire crews being able to do their jobs are considerations in deciding when Highway 168 will be re-opened to the general public.

Please tune in to local radio stations KIBS, KSRW, and KMMT for updated information.

Fire Information is also available by calling 760-873-2503.

A Type II Fire Team from Southern California is managing the Forks Fire at this time. Airtankers and helicopters continue to support engines and handcrews working to contain the fire. Approximately 400 people are assigned to the 2000 acre Forks Fire.

Fire Status: Active

Location: Bishop Creek Drainage Date Started: July 18, 2009

12 miles West of Bishop Percent Contained: 90%

Acres Burned: 3,268 Containment Expected: 7/24/2009

(Rumor: full containment expect about now)