(Note: Four historic structures at Alpers Ranch were destroyed by the Owens River Fire. Sierra Wave Media talked with Tim Alpers and that interview is available on the Eastern Sierra News TV 3 stream at the bottom of the main website page.)

USFS press release

Tuesday evening update

The Owens River Fire is 5,443 acres and is 32% contained. The new acreage is a reflection of better mapping and excludes green islands (areas interior of the perimeter than have not burned).

Today was cooler with patchy cloud cover moving over the fire, light rain over the northern portion of the fire, and winds in the afternoon.  Overall, the fire behavior was moderate and crews were able to strengthen firelines, concentrating their efforts on areas of heat along the fireline and near structures and developments. Crews continue to mop up, gridding for hot spots within the line.

Crews tonight will patrol and monitor the fireline and mop up where safe.

The weather forecast for the tomorrow is for cooler temperatures, and increase in relative humidity, and a chance of isolated thunderstorms. A strong cold front with significant winds is in the forecast for Wednesday evening and through Thursday.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is substantially diminished.

There are 16 hand crews, 48 engines, 7 helicopters, 6 dozers, and 7 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 636 people assigned to the incident.

The cost of the fire is estimated to be $1,186,500.00. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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The Owens River Fire remains 6,050 acres and is 20% contained.

Fire on ridge near Alpers Ranch Photo courtesy Tim Alpers

Fire on ridge near Alpers Ranch
Photo courtesy Tim Alpers

Last night, crews made good progress to contain and mop up spot fires and work the active edges of the fire and that effort will be ongoing today. The fire remains active on the west, north, and east flanks and crews will focus on these areas. Crews will strengthen firelines and mop up along the line where safe to do so.

The weather forecast for the coming days will remain hot and dry and wind remains a concern. These conditions will continue to test containment lines.

Four uninhabited outbuildings, several pieces of heavy equipment, and a vehicle were destroyed during the initial response.

The fire is burning along Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395 in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, and annual grasses.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon, and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated. The Owens River Road and the Whitmore Springs Roads are closed and visitors are advised to avoid the Bald Mountain Road as well. For your and fire crew safety, please avoid the fire area.

Smoke is visible, although diminished, from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining. It will settle in the valleys at night under the cool inversion layer.

There are 11 hand crews, 48 engines, 7 helicopters, 6 dozers, and 7 water tenders assigned to the fire. There are 536 people assigned to the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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