Additional resources continue to arrive, assisting in fire suppression. Sierra National Forest initial suppression efforts, crews were able to keep the fire from burning into the Kaiser Wilderness. Firefighter and public safety remains the highest priority.
The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the Aspen Fire at 6:00 P.M. July 24, 2013. The team is working with the Sierra National Forest to manage suppression efforts.
Smoke from the Aspen Fire is impacting air quality in local communities. Individuals sensitive to smoke are suggested to remain indoors and keep windows closed, to minimize exposure to smoke.
The fire is in steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain. There is no imminent threat to the communities of Big Creek or Huntington Lake at this time.
For most recent fire information click on the recent articles on the right.
Road and Trail Closures
Roads:
Stump Springs Road is closed to all traffic due to fire suppression activity.
Minarets Road (4S81) from Fish Creek to Jackass Rock Organization Campground, Grizzly at Beasore Road to Minarets Road are closed to the public. Residents within the road closure are allowed into the area with valid identification.
Trails:
Per the U.S. Forest Service Closure Order number 15-13-09, the Kaiser Wilderness is closed.
Evacuations
Additional campground closures went in to affect as a precautionary measure. Campground closures within the Sierra National Forest are as follows:
-Sample Meadow
-West Kaiser
-Jackass Rock Organization
-Lower Chiquito
-Little Jackass
-Soda Springs
-Placer
-Sweet Water
-China Bar
-Rock Creek
Campgrounds closed to support firefighting efforts:
-Rancheria
-Badger Flat
-Midge Creek
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Monday July 22nd, 2013 approx. 10:15 PM |
| Location | seven miles north of Big Creek |
| Incident Commander | David Cooper |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,479 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11,019 acres |
| Percent Contained | 20% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber with mixed chaparral |
| Fire Behavior | Fire continued to be active throughout the east side of the fire. Temperature is increasing and humidity decreasing. |
| Significant Events | The closure of Stump Springs road remains in effect. The Sierra National Forest has issued a Forest Closure Order for the Kaiser Wilderness. A precautionary evacuation of campgrounds west of the San Joaquin River on Forest Road 4S81 are in place. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Continue to build and prepare indirect line on the east side of the fire. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | High |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Remarks | Good progress with indirect line is being made on the northwest side of the fire. Indirect line has been completed on the southwest side of the fire. Air resources were grounded most of yesterday because of the inversion lifting late in the afternoon. The Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT)- D.C. 10 was utilized on the fire yesterday. Crews continue to use direct attack when possible. Access to the lower portions of the fire along the San Joaquin River's edge is an obstacle. Smoke from the fire continues to impact the San Joaquin Valley. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 4-12 mph W |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 45-55 degrees |
| Humidity | 61-71% |