Size: 170 acres (estimated)
Containment: 60%
Location: east of Rock Creek Road, near Iris Meadows Campground
Fuels: sagebrush, pinyon/ juniper
Cause: Lightning
Update: Last night, fire activity was minimal, Firefighters overnight observed backing and creeping fire behavior. Weather overnight was favorable and winds were calm. Crews used this opportunity overnight to continue to construct containment line around much of the fire perimeter. The uphill, eastern flank of the fire has good containment line around it as does most of the western flank along the roadside. Crews continue to complete line through a short stretch of difficult terrain for full perimeter containment.
Today, crews will continue to improve containment lines and work on cooling, or “mopping up” hot spots along the fire’s edge. Today, California Incident Management Team (IMT)13 assumed command of the fire at 6:00 am.
Weather: Thunderstorms are expected again today in the forecast as the monsoonal pattern continues although, not as strong and widespread as earlier in the week. This may influence Iris Fire’s behavior as well as bring more lightning to the region.
Closures: The Rock Creek Road is closed at Tom’s Place. All campgrounds in the Rock Creek Canyon have been evacuated. This includes Mosquito Creek, Rock Creek, Upper Pine Grove, Pine Grove, East Fork, Big Meadows, French Camp, and Holiday campgrounds. All resorts and cabins in the closure area have been evacuated. All wilderness permit holders for trailheads starting in the Rock Creek Canyon are being cancelled through Sunday July 26th. This includes the Little Lakes (including the Mono Pass Trail that starts here) and Hilton Lakes Trailhead. Exiting hikers are being escorted out.
Mono County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol continue to manage exiting traffic along Rock Creek Road and at Hwy 395. Please avoid the area for firefighter and public safety.
Resources: There are 215 personnel assigned to the incident, including 10 engines, 7 crews, 2 water tenders, a dozer, 5 helicopters, and 1 air attack.