Re: Indian Fire Update

Size: 2015 acres
Cause: Appears to be lightning
Containment: 5%
Crews: 6
Fuel Type: Whitethorn/Jeffrey pine
Aircraft: 6 helicopters, 1 air attack fixed wing
Location: Golden Trout Wilderness north of the Jordon Hot Springs at 8,400 ft.
Personnel: 229

Yesterday, the fire became established on the west side of Redrock Creek and burned steadily throughout the day to southern Toowa Ridge. Fire behavior remains moderate with backing, flanking, and short-range spotting observed. Crews can use Toowa Ridge for a better and safer opportunity to scout and construct direct handlines. Crews continued direct and indirect handline along a ridge to the Cold Meadows Trail on the northern flank. The fire continued to burn with little to no intensity on the west flank allowing direct handline to be started from the top of the ridge to the south towards Nine Mile Creek.

Although the fire has started moving out of the high intensity 2002 McNally Fire footprint, snags (standing dead trees) remain a substantial safety concern. Crews are taking all necessary measures to avoid this hazard. Crews are using trail systems and natural barriers for containment using Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to help protect wilderness character in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Crews are being supported by US Forest Service pack stock. There is currently no threat to life or property.

The forest has implemented an emergency closure of the following trails due to the fire and the substantial hazard created by falling snags:

• Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Jordon Hot Springs
• Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Lost Trout Creek (Beer Keg Meadow)
• Redrock Meadows to Templeton Cow Camp
• Redrock Meadows to Little Whitney Meadow

Smoke is visible and drifting into the southern Owens Valley between Olancha and Lone Pine as areas throughout the southern Sierra, including the Kennedy Meadows and Kern River Valley. Smoke settled into Lone Pine and Olancha yesterday evening.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5469/

Size: 2536 acres
Cause: Appears to be lightning
Containment: 10%
Crews: 9
Fuel Type: Whitethorn/Jeffrey pine
Aircraft: 6 helicopters, 1 air attack fixed wing
Location: Golden Trout Wilderness north of the Jordon Hot Springs at 8,400 ft.
Personnel: 215

Fire continues to creep along the southern portion of the Toowa Range on the east side of Redrock Creek. Fire behavior remains moderate with creeping and backing observed. Crews are constructing direct and indirect handline from Jordon Hot Springs east up to the Toowa Ridgeline and continuing north. Other crews will work south from Indian Head to tie in this handline. This operation should take several days to complete. Crews completed direct and indirect hand line along a ridge to the Cold Meadows Trail on the north portion of the fire towards Indian Head. The fire continued to show little activity on the northwest side today allowing direct hand line to continue from the ridge to the south towards Nine Mile Creek. Crews are completing defensible space and wrapping remote cabins.

Although the fire has started moving out of the high intensity 2002 McNally Fire footprint, snags (standing dead trees) remain a substantial safety concern. Crews are taking all necessary measures to avoid this hazard. Crews are using trail systems and natural barriers for containment using Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to help protect wilderness character in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Crews are being supported by US Forest Service pack stock. There is currently no threat to life or property.

The forest has implemented an emergency closure of the following trails due to the fire and the substantial hazard created by falling snags:

• Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Jordon Hot Springs
• Casa Vieja to Redrock Meadows via Lost Trout Creek (Beer Keg Meadow)
• Redrock Meadows to Templeton Cow Camp
• Redrock Meadows to Little Whitney Meadow

Smoke is visible and drifting into the southern Owens Valley between Olancha and Lone Pine as areas throughout the southern Sierra, including the Kennedy Meadows and Kern River Valley. Smoke settled into Lone Pine and Olancha yesterday evening.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5469/