High Sierra Topix

Today, we received direction from the Regional Office that the Emergency Forest Closures would be extended for the seven of the nine forests that are currently closed. This includes the Inyo National Forest. The regional order is expected to be extended through October 8. Emergency Fire Restrictions will also be extended.

As always, the regional order can be rescinded or extended, based on conditions.

The Regional Office decision is based on the continued hot and dry conditions that remain in the forecast for the upcoming week, continued active fires throughout the state, and continued firefighting resources limitations.

Emergency Fire Restrictions in Effect

Inyo National Forest is partially re-opening:

Open: Wildernesses in the Inyo Mountains and the White Mountains, front country dispersed areas throughout the forest, developed sites, resorts, and recreation resident cabins.Developed recreation campgrounds will re-open. However, many campgrounds will remain closed due to end of season operations or because they are within closed areas.

Closed: Inyo National Forest within Madera County remains closed. The most common destinations are Reds Meadow Valley and the Devils Postpile National Monument. This area remains closed due to the Creek Fire to the west.

Forest Closure 05-04-51-20-17 remains in effect and closes areas, including Monache Meadows, due to the SQF Complex (Castle Fire).

Forest order 05-04-54-20-15 remains in effect and includes Navy Beach and the South Tufa Area.

The Inyo portions of the South Sierra, Golden Trout, John Muir, Ansel Adams, Owens River Headwaters, and Hoover Wilderness Areas remain closed through December 1, 2020.
This closure may be rescinded or extended as needed. Many of the Inyo’s trail networks lead into active fire areas that are closed and that are managing complex and difficult fires.
Forest order 05-04-50-20-18 and Maps: Exhibit B / Exhibit C

Fire Restrictions are in effect.

Propane and gas stove use are now permitted in developed recreation sites in National Forests in California. Developed recreation sites are defined as areas that have been improved or developed for recreation such as campgrounds and day use sites.

maverick wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 9:15 am Ansel Adams, Hoover, and John Muir Wilderness closed till 12/1.

There is also a detailed list of the open campgrounds (roughly 15 or so, all eastern side) on there.

Open campgrounds:
Aspen, Lower Lee Vining, Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Big Springs, Oh Ridge, Twin Lakes, Silver Lake, New Shady Rest, Convict, French Camp, Four Jeffery, Sabrina, Bitterbrush, Upper Sage, Lone Pine, and Whitney Portal.

USFS:

Inyo National Forest Reopens most of John Muir Wilderness, part of Ansel Adams Wilderness

The Inyo National Forest is reopening the majority of the John Muir Wilderness and a segment of the Ansel Adams Wilderness as the risk from wildfires is decreasing.

In interagency cooperation, Sequoia National Park is revising their closure areas on the SQF Complex and Rattlesnake Fire, allowing many areas in the southern John Muir Wilderness to reopen.

As such, effective November 3, the John Muir Wilderness on the Inyo National Forest is reopening for day and overnight use, with the tiny segment north of Pumice Butte and west of Crystal Crag as the exception. Additionally, the northeast segment of the Ansel Adams Wilderness is reopening.

Closed under Forest Order 05-04-50-20-21:
• The portion of the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area and John Muir Wilderness Area as shown on the map Exhibit A.
• The Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile National Monument Closure Area, which includes all National Forest Lands within Madera County, except the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, as shown on the map Exhibit A. The most common destinations in the closure are Reds Meadow Valley and the Devils Postpile National Monument. The Reds Meadow Road is closed at Minaret Vista.
These closures remain in effect while the Creek Fire remains uncontained along its eastern flank near Lake Thomas Edison and north to the Junction Bluffs.

Additionally, the Sierra National Forest is closed. Therefore, the John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness on the Sierra National Forest, including segments that are administered by the Inyo National Forest, remain closed.

• Forest Closure 05-04-51-20-16 remains in effect and closes areas in the south west of the Golden Trout Wilderness due to the SQF Complex (Castle Fire).
• Forest order 05-04-54-20-15 remains in effect and includes Navy Beach and the South Tufa Area (Beach Fire).



Wilderness permits will not be issued for areas where closures are in effect. As always, visitors should know before they go and safely plan their trips around areas that have closures, uncontained fires, active fire, and smoke in the area.

Fire restrictions are in effect.
Propane and gas stove use are permitted in developed recreation sites in National Forests in California. Developed recreation sites are defined as areas that have been improved or developed for recreation such as campgrounds and day use sites. No fires, including camp stoves, are permitted in dispersed camping areas or in Wilderness areas.

Visitors to the Eastern Sierra should expect smoky conditions from various fires throughout the region.