2020 Fire/Smoke Impact Reports

[sandiegonate]

Next wknd my nephew's flying in from NJ just for a Sierra trip. Was thinking of changing my permits from Sabrina to NF Big Pine. Now I'm just hoping Mt San Jacinto doesn't catch fire, as I doubt there's gonna be much clear air anywhere south of Mammoth in the Sierra.

[druid]

Minarets pack station had to let all of their stock loose. With Beasore road closed at Chiquito Creek, it looks like anyone who is parked at the Isberg, Fernandez, Norris etc. trailheads might be stuck for awhile.

https://twitter.com/LibertyLynx/status/ ... 50/photo/1

[slamm]

Backpacked to Kaweah Basin, SEKI, 9/1–9/6, 2020. Smoke was bad on some days and almost undetectable on other days. KN95 masks worked pretty well when descending and at camp (even sleeping). When climbing, we usually had to take them off.

First couple days, eyes stung and almost developed a cough. Then, the air cleared for a couple days. Glad we went, but I am also glad to not be there for another week. There are now major fires on both sides of SEKI (Creek Fire & SQF Complex fire), so air quality is likely to get worse.

I did my part and cold-soaked all my meals. ;-)

EDIT 9/8: Removed photos with light smoke. Friends that came out a day after me encountered thick smoke in the same area.

[grampy]

Heading to Big Pine Creek region due east of Creek Fire at the end of next week.

I haven’t been there lately, but had pretty good air quality in Aug 2018 when I went there (instead of Mono Pass / Recesses) during the fires that year. It’s fairly protected (as much as anywhere could be) by 13,000’+ peaks against smoke drifting in from the west. My “night before” in one of the down-canyon campgrounds (Upper Sage Flat, I think) was hot and smoky; I got a horrible night’s sleep.

In my opinion, though, if the Creek Fire doesn’t die down significantly, I think even the protection of those peaks won’t be enough; the smoke plumes are going to ridiculously high altitudes this time around.

[maverick]

Fresno Co Sheriffs Dept:

The following Evacuation Orders are in effect for the Creek Fire:
- Shaver Lake down to Cressman Road, including Cressman Road
- Big Creek
- Huntington Lake
- Camp Sierra
- High Sierra areas, which include: Florence Lake, Ward Lake, Portal Forebay, Edison Lake Mono Hot Springs, Kaiser and all campgrounds.
- The area west of Tollhouse, along Auberry Road west to Powerhouse Road.
- Alder Springs, Mile High, Meadow Lakes, Big Sandy, Mono Wind Casino, Jose Basin & Italian Bar.
- Dinkey Creek, Wishon & Courtright Reservoirs.
- Tollhouse Road at Peterson Road down to Lodge Road
- Beal Fire Road
- Powerhouse Road to the San Joaquin River

There are currently no Evacuation Warnings in effect for the Creek Fire.

Notice to hikers
Those hiking along the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail are not in danger of the fire. However, we encourage hikers to make it to one of three locations in order to make it easy for first responders to account for everyone. The following three temporary refuge areas have been established for people to go and shelter in place.
- China Peak Resort
- Edison Lake
- Blayney Meadow
All trails via eastern passes are still open, so hikers may also choose to exit to Hwy 395. Western slope exits are blocked at Hwy. 168, so take refuge at one of refuge areas mentioned above.

Vehicle exit routes
- Those who are between Shaver Lake and Dinkey Creek should exit toward Pine Flat Lake via Providence Creek Road.
- Those who are in the area of Dinkey Creek and Courtright / Wishon Reservoirs should exit toward Pine Flat Lake via Black Rock Road.
- The exit routes above are dirt roads which are not passable with RV trailers, so please drop your trailer at a safe location prior to exiting.

Base camp
All fire and law enforcement personnel are currently working out of a command post established at Sierra High School, 33326 Lodge Rd, Tollhouse, CA 93667.

[Harlen]

We just had our WP-- entry point North Lake to Piute Pass, and so, I wonder if things have changed re. eastside entry into the Sierra? Here's what I received from Recreation.gov, along with the refund of the WP cost:

Hi Ian,

We're sending you this message because of your Recreation.gov reservation, 0257619229-1, at Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits for Sep 13 2020 - Sep 20 2020.

A location closure has been issued for Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits due to Public Safety Concerns.

Since this location closure overlaps with the dates for your trip, we have cancelled your reservation and you will receive a full refund. Credit / debit card payments will be refunded to the card associated with your account. If you paid by cash or check, you will receive a refund check in the mail (please allow up to 8 weeks).

The experience and wellbeing of visitors is our top priority, and we apologize for any inconvenience with this location closure. Thank you again for your understanding, and please contact Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits if you have any questions.

We're looking into smoke-free alternatives. Subject of a new post? See the "Beyond the Sierra" posts, Thanks.

[astrogerly]

We abandoned our trip two days early due to how heinous it became overnight. The first four days were great, minimal-ish smoke/haze (OV to Forester to Wright Lakes to Wales Lake). Last night we were below Forester to head to Golden Bear today. Woke up to ash, smoke everywhere, couldn’t even see Forester. Scrubbed Golden Bear plans and decided to push to exit based on how bad it was. Constant smoke, occasional falling/raining ash, zero blue sky. Eerie. Not worth risking another night. Saw a ton of JMTers that were pressing on...

[owen]

Was in Sabrina Basin 9/4-9/6 with a second trip planned for Paiute Pass/Humphreys Basin that I abandoned. No smoke on 9/4. Minimal amount of haze the afternoon of 9/5. Morning of 9/6 looked out to the Owens Valley and could see a thick blanket of smoke. As I was hiking down to the trailhead, by about 9am the entire basin was filled with thick smoke. Later when I checked the aqi for Bishop it was 460! It was uncomfortable and irritated my throat. I was dismayed at the number of backpackers and day hikers (!) heading up (40-50 of them including many dare I say elderly hikers) Despite warnings and the fact that you couldn't see sh%& few seemed to be deterred Why, people? Protect your health and possibly your life. Come back another day. I abandoned my second trip and headed home. The entire east side drive from Bishop to the 108 was choked in thick smoke. Stay safe.

[owen]

About 50 hikers hunkered down overnight Sunday and into Monday morning at the Vermilion Valley Resort awaiting a way to evacuate the growing Creek Fire.

The hiker-friendly wilderness resort, popular as a way station for people following the Pacific Crest and John Muir trails, is located in the high Sierra near Edison Lake northeast of where the Creek Fire is burning.

Jim Clement, the resort owner, told The Bee on Monday afternoon that Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies decided to hold off until Tuesday morning to evacuate the hikers.

Read more here: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/californ ... rylink=cpy

[Paloma]

I have not been following the CA wildfire situation as I’m in WA but I have a friend that just left and it headed to Cedar Grove and he is going to do a loop that involves some off trail, then onto the JMT and back to Cedar Grove. I’ve tried to get information for him as he drives down but it’s a bit confusing. The National Forests are closed but SEKI is still open? And the weather forecast shows clear skies all around? I don’t get it!