High Sierra Topix

Kernville, CA July 4, 2017 - On Saturday, June 24, the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest received thunderstorm activity over the area starting the Schaeffer Fire.

The fire is currently 4,510 acres and burning 17 miles north of Kernville within the 2002 McNally wildfire footprint.

On July 3 at 6 pm, the Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team (Incident Commander Van Arroyo) assumed command of the fire. Management objectives include suppression strategies where efforts will be most successful and to provide for firefighter safety.

Firefighters will be using natural barriers such as rock outcroppings or trails and roads as control lines. Crews have constructed handline on the western flank of the fire north of Stony Meadow. They will continue to construct indirect handline south to intersect with forest roads and trails, and north to the Kern River. Helicopters are making water drops to protect resources in the vicinity of the river and firefighters are scouting on the east side for potential control lines.

Smoke will continue to be visible from both east and west of the fire—on Highway 395 as far north as Mammoth Lakes and west to the communities of Johnsondale and Ponderosa. People with respiratory conditions, young children, and senior citizens may be susceptible to adverse effects. Air District officials urge residents to follow their doctor’s advice. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html or http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm.

The weather will continue to be in the 80s with humidity around 12-23% with a 10% chance of thunderstorms today. Monsoonal moisture will be building through the week with a higher chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning on Thursday.

For more information go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285 or call the Kern River Ranger District at 760-376-3781 ext.635 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Acres Burned: 10,674
Structures Burned: 0
Containment: 8%
Injuries: 0
Personnel: 614
Fuel Type: Brush and Timber


Kernville, CA July 6, 2017 - On Saturday, June 24, the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest received thunderstorm activity over the area starting the Schaeffer Fire.

The fire is currently 10,674 acres and burning 17 miles north of Kernville within the 2002 McNally wildfire footprint.

On July 3 at 6 pm, the Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team (Incident Commander Van Arroyo) assumed command of the fire. Management objectives include suppression strategies where efforts will be most successful and to provide for firefighter safety.

Firefighters will be using natural barriers such as rock outcroppings or trails and roads as control lines. Crews have constructed handline on the western flank of the fire north of Stony Meadow. They will continue to construct indirect handline south to intersect with forest roads and trails, and north to the Kern River. Helicopters are making water drops to protect resources in the vicinity of the river and firefighters are scouting on the east side for potential control lines.

Smoke will continue to be visible from both east and west of the fire—on Highway 395 as far north as Mammoth Lakes and west to the communities of Johnsondale and Ponderosa. People with respiratory conditions, young children, and senior citizens may be susceptible to adverse effects. Air District officials urge residents to follow their doctor’s advice. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html or http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm.

The weather will continue to be in the 80s with humidity around 18-23% with a 10% chance of thunderstorms today. Monsoonal moisture will be building through the week with a higher chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning on Thursday.

For more information go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285 or call the Kern River Ranger District at 760-376-3781 ext.635 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm[/b]

Increased Personnel Make Significant Progress in Suppression Efforts
Firefighters are working night and day to suppress the Schaeffer Fire. Direct line (on the fire's edge) in in place to cut off the fire's southward movement. Hotshot crews are beginning to build direct handline to tie off the east flank, north of Rattlensnake Canyon (well within the initial containment lines). Crews are continuing to improve dozer line and hoselay that is providing protection to the Beach Meadow Area. Command has been able to acquire a number of additional hotshot and hand crews, increasing progress on suppression and containment efforts.

Yep, Mav; I just checked and they have reported >60% containment today. Maybe by this time next week the webcams in the Owens Valley will show some clearing!?! Hope so!

Fire activity continued to grow throughout the night due to ample fuel, and steep terrain. Today firefighters expect unfavorable weather conditions and aggressive fire behavior. The communities of Hunters Valley, Bear Valley, and Hornitos continue to be threatened as the fire encroaches on culturally and historically sensitive areas. Traffic along HWY 41 & 49 will be impacted as a result of road closures on HWY 49. The fire continues to threaten power lines to the south of the incident, which supply power to Yosemite National Park. Firefighters on the ground as well as aircraft are actively working to contain and suppress the fire. CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the incident at 1000 hrs. from the Madera, Mariposa, Merced Unit.

Fire is actively burning in tall grass, brush and timber. Firefighters are working aggressively in steep and rugged areas with inaccessible terrain which is hindering firefighting efforts. Structures in the area and high tension power lines are threatened.