News releases
Lions Fire Update 8/9/18
The Lions Fire is estimated at 8,711 acres with 70% containment, for an increase of 227 acres. There are 178 personnel committed to the fire, including 6 crews, 4 helicopters, and a pack string of mules from the Stanislaus National Forest.
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The northeast, east, and southern flanks of the fire are contained. All burning activities on northeast flank are completed.
Crews remain focused on creating containment lines along the southwest flank, where the fire has been active for the past several days challenging containment lines with wind driven growth. Crews are completing direct and indirect hand line in an effort to keep the fire from crossing the North Fork of the San Joaquin River using trail networks and natural barriers where possible. Along the northwest flank, the fire is moving into sparse fuels and cliffs.
Yesterday’s observed fire activity included moderate fire behavior with single tree torching, backing, and some uphill growth. This area has 50% tree mortality from bark beetles and drought in this area. These conditions, along with blowdown from a 2011 wind event, have contributed to a buildup of heavy fuels, creating difficult fire fighting conditions.
Hot and dry conditions remain in the forecast with light southwest winds expected for today, and gusty winds in the afternoon. There is a significant warming and drying trend predicted for this week. Isolated thunderstorms are expected to begin near the fire as early as Friday.
The Reds Meadow Road and all services in the Reds Meadow Valley, including Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls, remain open.
Closures: There is an emergency trail closure for the Fern Lake and Beck Lake Trails on the Inyo National Forest and emergency trail closures and a Forest Order to close the area on the Sierra National Forest (west of the North Fork of the San Joaquin River, north of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River and South of Iron Creek).
Smoke: See the smoke outlook report or visit https://airnow.gov/
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Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District
Air Quality Health Advisory: Stage 2 in Alpine County and northern Mono County, and Stage 1 in southern Mono County.
Based on air pollution levels in Woodfords and Coleville a Stage 2 Air Pollution Health Advisory is in effect throughout the day on August 9, 2018 in Alpine County and northern Mono County. Based on air pollution levels in Mammoth Lakes, a Stage 1 Advisory is in effect in southern Mono County. Periods of heavy smoke and clearing may fluctuate during the day depending on wind patterns, though the Blue Sky model predicts air quality to worsen this afternoon and evening. Visit www.gbuapcd.org for near real time conditions.
For more information on ways to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, click here.
A Stage 2 Health Advisory recommends that everyone refrain from strenuous outdoor activities in the impacted area.
A Stage 1 Health Advisory recommends children, the elderly, people with heart or lung problems, or people with current illnesses such as the flu, to stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities in the impacted areas
AirFire maps are currently not displaying the CARB Emergency Monitors, so a good alternate AQI map is here.
US Forest Service PM2.5 Monitor deployed in Mammoth Lakes
US Forest Service PM2.5 Monitor deployed in Crowley Lake
Smoke conditions may change quickly. If you have any questions please visit: www.gbuapcd.org or call the Great Basin Air Pollution Control District office in Bishop at 760-872-8211 during regular business hours.
Health advisories on the web: https://gbuapcd.org/
More Information: Ferguson Fire InciWeb Page, Donnell Fire InciWeb Page and Lions Fire InciWeb Page
Information on all smoke events being monitored in the District: https://gbuapcd.org/smoke/
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Forest Service employees are spiking their retirement with this fire. Put the damn thing out and quit screwing the pooch.
@Dave, Spiking their retirements? Not sure about the USFS but in the vast majority of public agencies, retirement is calculated on base salary. Overtime does not factor in whatsoever. In other words, there would be no increases to retirement benefits by prolonging these incidents. Do you have info to the… Read more »