2023 Fire/Smoke Impact Reports

[frozenintime]

we were caught a bit off guard in emigrant this weekend by the quarry fire. this was our view of its pretty substantial plume from the bowl between big and hyatt. it looked really close! we luckily had virtually no smoke impact from it, despite being only 8 or so miles away (it's burning around the bourland trailhead).

All Photos - 1 of 1.jpeg

[maverick]

Stanislaus NF:

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres burned to date: 1,774
Cause: Lightning
Total Personnel: 102

Location: The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives.

Fire acreage will continue to grow as crews take advantage of weather and burning conditions suitable to accomplish and safely promote the spread of this naturally ignited wildfire.

'Yesterday, September 25, crews ignited fire from the ridge tops along the east side of the fire filling in unburned areas. They also worked filling in areas to the north and west, creating a patchwork of burned and unburned fuels.

Crews prepped areas to protect natural and cultural resources where fire may pass through.

A UAS (unmanned aircraft system) crew scouted areas for potential aerial ignitions in the north that may occur today if conditions allow.

Soft closures remain in effect and are subject to change based on fire activity. Please avoid these areas:
• 3N21 where it meets 3N16
• 2N71 where it meets 3N16
• 3N21 where it meets 3N01
• 3N22 where it meets 3N01

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire are visible in the area. Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information.

[maverick]

UPDATE:

The Quarry Fire is located on the Miwok Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, off Forest Road 3N01, east of Bourland Creek and approximately four miles west of the Emigrant Wilderness Border.

Acres Burned Wednesday, September 27: 1,263
Acres Burned to Date: 3,368
Total Personnel: 139
Cause: Lightning

The Quarry fire was one of many fires ignited by lightning strikes across the forest on September 9, 2023. District fire managers immediately worked to ensure these naturally ignited fires stayed within pre-determined boundaries. Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest are currently managing the Quarry Fire to achieve multiple resource objectives.

Current Activities:
Yesterday, UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) crews brought low intensity fire down the ridge of the northwest flank of the fire near 3N40, filling in unburned areas towards Reynolds Creek to the east.

Another UAS crew conducted reconnaissance in the northwest corner east of 3N16 to scout out additional burning opportunities.

Crews brought fire down along the ridge near 3N27A filling in unburned areas to the east of 3N27.

Crews continued falling dead standing trees along 3N01 and 3N16 in preparation for future firing operations.

In addition to fire crews, Resource Advisors are providing professional knowledge and expertise for the protection of natural, cultural, special management areas, and other resources on the Quarry Fire.

As of September 27, 2023, the following soft closures are in effect:
• 3N21 where it meets 3N16
• 2N71 where it meets 3N16
• 3N21 where it meets 3N01
• 3N22 where it meets 3N01
• 3N34Y
• 3N01L
• 3N01J
• 3N01H
• 3N16
• 3N16
• 3N01 between Bourland Creek to Reynolds Creek

Individuals travelling in these areas are asked to stay off of these roads where fire crews are working.

Smoke impacts from the Quarry Fire and the Experimental Forest prescribed burn will be settling in low lying areas in the Pinecrest Basin, Tuolumne, East Sonora, Long Barn and Cold Springs.

Check out the fire and smoke map at fire.airnow.gov for more information.

[maverick]

SNF:

Acres Burned to Date: 1,211
Containment: 24%
Total Personnel: 114
Cause: Lightning
Injuries: 0


Current Activities: Firing operations will continue along Burton Road/14S02 towards Buck Rock Road/13S04. Fire managers will continue firing operations from the 13S04 Road towards Buck Rock Lookout. Hazard trees along the roads will continue to be mitigated for public safety. Crews will assist with firing and finalizing securing on the Big Meadows Road/14S11 and Buck Rock Lookout. An unmanned aircraft system (UAS drone) will be utilized to help assist fire managers with firing in areas that are difficult and unsafe by ground.

Weather: High pressure will influence the area more heading into the weekend. The system will lead to slightly warmer and drier conditions. Some high clouds will linger through the morning today but will dissipate heading through the afternoon. Expect temperatures to be their warmest in several days, climbing into the mid-60s. Relative humidity could dip into the upper 20s briefly near the late afternoon. Winds will be mostly terrain-driven, similar to the last few days. The remainder of the weekend will continue to feature warming and drier conditions. Another system will pass to the north on Tuesday, bringing some mid and high clouds along with a brief cooling trend. However, a more substantial area of high pressure will bring warmer temperatures by Wednesday and late next week.Max temperatures could be as much as 5-10 degrees above normal.

Closures: Soft closures are in effect to provide for the public’s safety. This will only affect Forest visitors in the vicinity of the Rabbit Fire. These soft closers only affect roads and trails within the planning area of the Rabbit Fire. The soft closures encourage the public to stay clear of the area, allowing the firefighters operating in the area to continue to do their jobs safely.

Alternate routes are available to allow as much access to the surrounding Forest area as possible. With the public’s cooperation, we’ll continue to monitor the soft closure numbers and duration, recognizing that fire personnel and public safety are the focus.

Smoke: Rabbit Fire smoke and air quality information is available at Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov)

[maverick]

SEKI NP:

Location: Hume Lake Ranger District

Acres Burned to Date: 2,660

Containment: 85%

Total Personnel: 141

Cause: Lightning

Injuries: 1



Current Activities: Full suppression with significant resource enhancement remains the main objective of the Rabbit Fire Incident Type 4 team. Fire is burning in the interior as planned, creeping, and backing as expected. Occasional single tree torching can be expected without impact on fire operations. Firefighters completed tree-falling work at the Generals Highway and will work into the fire interior to the southeast below the Kings Canyon Overlook to Forest Service Road 14S11 (Big Meadows Road).



The fire crew will focus today on preparing the area for future fire operations (burning/ignitions). This includes additional falling and fortification of lines to accept and repel fire. The fire is creeping toward Generals Highway where the line is expected to stabilize within 24 hours. Firefighters will continue to monitor aspects of the fire critical to maintaining successful burning and control (suppression).



Patrols will continue in the west, north, and east perimeters. Line maintenance activities are moving inward from the Generals Highway from Kings Canyon Overlook southeast to Forest Service Road 14S11 (Big Meadows Road). No further closures or delays on Generals Highway are expected but may become necessary if conditions change.



Aerial ignition operations are suspended today as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, will primarily be used to scout the fire and vacate visitors from dangerous work areas. An Air Resource Advisor and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will continue to monitor air quality for smoke impacts on local communities. Quail Flat, Kings Canyon Overlook, and Big Meadows Road off the Generals Highway still warrant extreme caution as first responders continue falling large trees in these areas to improve public safety.



Weather: The high-pressure system will remain over the planning area today, and temperatures will reach the upper 70s at lower elevations. Today will be warm with slightly higher humilities. A significant pattern change is expected late in the weekend. Temperatures are expected to cool with the rising humidity entering the weekend, offset the moderate increase to the current light winds.




Closures: Soft closures limited to roads and trails within the fire planning area will continue to be in effect for public safety. Forest visitors near the fire can expect to experience travel restrictions. The Fire Management team is focused on the safety of fire personnel and the public. The closures aim to keep the public safe while allowing firefighters to work safely. Access to the surrounding forest area remains available via multiple alternate routes.



Smoke:  Rabbit Fire smoke and air quality information are available at Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov). The next few days will bring the most stable atmospheric conditions, causing more smoke accumulations close to the surface. Smoke is drifting downslope through the night and then shifting to the north and east in the afternoons. It is typically following drainages in the Kings River Canyon and adjacent areas.



Previous ignitions on the Rabbit Fire and the Big Stump prescribed fire will continue to see a clean-up of unburned fuels today. Ignitions have stopped on the Big Stump prescribed fire until more favorable conditions for ventilations occur, likely this coming weekend.