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.
Smoke from the fire continues to impact air quality in local communities. Crews will utilize firing operations to assist with enforcing containment lines. Firing operations are actions taken to remove unburned fuels between the active fireline and the contingency lines which fie crews have been creating over the past several days. The operation will put additional smoke into the atmosphere.
An air quality monitoring device has been installed at the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Station. The device will provide smoke data from the Aspen Fire to the air resources advisor and the area air pollution control districts.
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
-Wagners Mammoth Pool Resort
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 | 1,835 |
|---|---|
| Size | 20,617 acres |
| Percent Contained | 75% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Saturday August 10th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Timber with mixed chaparral |
| Fire Behavior | Fire continued to be active throughout the north and east sides 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 | Firing operations began on the southern end of the fire yesterday. Firing operations will continue today. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | High |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Remarks | Suppression repair has begun on the northern end of the fire. Yesterday (8-4-13, was the first day of firing operations on the southern end of the fire. Firing operations are estimated to continue for the next two days. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 3-7 mph SE |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 44-54 degrees |
| Humidity | 56-67% |