Sequoia National Forest Monitors 1,928-acre Cooney Fire Use Project
Springville, CA, August 27, 2003. Fire officials continue to monitor the Cooney Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident located in the Golden Trout Wilderness. The single tree lightning fire that was first discovered around 8 a.m. on August 1, has grown to become one of the largest Wildland Fire Use Project in the history of the Forest Service in the state of California. The fire has now burned approximately 1,928 acres. "With the rain we got last week, the Cooney WFU has stopped spreading but could start again if the hot weather returns," says District Fire Management Officer (DFMO) Paul Gibbs. Due to it's location, this fire is being managed cooperatively between Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Currently, all trails leading into and out of the fire area are temporarily closed for public safety. Trail closures include the following:
31E10 south of Broders Cabin and west of Coyote Pass
32E02 north of the Public Pasture near Tamarack Creek
31E11 and 31E13 where they meet east of Wet Meadows
Additional trails in the fire area may be closed as needed to continue to provide for public safety. Visitors traveling into the backcountry anywhere near the fire are advised to watch for active fire, dense smoke, rolling debris, and unstable trees. Please check with the local Forest Service or Park Service officials if you plan to travel in the area for the most current information, prior to your departure. While the fire has not yet burned into Sequoia National Park, there is the potential for it to spread to the southern end near Wet Meadows.
For further questions regarding the Cooney Fire, please call District Public Affairs Specialist Denise Alonzo at (559) 539-2607, ext. 212. You can get updated information by calling (559) 539-2607 ext 292 and listen to a fire information recording.
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