CONTACT: Denise Alonzo, Public Affairs, 559-539-2607
SPRINGVILLE, CA., August 16, 2006. Fire officials continue to monitor several lightning-caused fires located in backcountry areas of the Sequoia National Forest. The Tamarack Wildland Fire Use Project has become active, growing to over 1500 acres (includes rock outcrops and unburned islands.) It is currently burning in the headwaters of Tamarack Creek. Expected growth is towards Rifle Creek and Coyote Pass.
At this time the following portions of backcountry trails are closed for public safety.
Basically, this closure is in place for the northern part of the Golden Trout Wilderness (administered by the Sequoia National Forest) between Lion Meadows and the neighboring boundary with Sequoia National Park. This closure is expected to last until September 12, 2006. Fire officials are working closely with the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District regarding smoke emissions. This fire is being managed as a Wildland Fire Use project (WFU).
WFU is a tool that allows fire officials to manage naturally ignited wildland fires to achieve certain resource benefits, reduce future suppression costs, and to the extent possible, restore natural ecological processes. This strategy is utilized when there is low risk for people and development but high potential for positive effects by allowing the natural process of fire. Fire officials will continue to monitor these fires to ensure they burn as expected, smoke concerns are mitigated, fire effects are beneficial to forest ecosystems, and there are no threats to communities or public and firefighter safety.
Also in the Golden Trout Wilderness, visitors travelling the Summit Trail (31E14) should expect to encounter the 2,000-acre Maggie WFU (includes rock outcrops and unburned islands). This WFU was started by lightning on July 9th and burned between Maggie Mountain and Sheep Mountain along the Summit Trail. "Small portions of this fire area will continue to produce smoke and flame until we receive enough rainfall to completely extinguish this fire," according to WFU Manager Paul Gibbs. "The trails are open and overnight stay within the fires perimeter is available, however please use caution around active fire and realize that standing dead trees were likely weakened further by the fire and could fall at any time."
For latest information on these fires, please contact the Springville Ranger Station at 559-539-2607 ext. 292 or speak with an operator during business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you travel in the backcountry of the Sequoia National Forest and discover a wildland fire, please contact the nearest fire department and report it as soon as possible.
Trail Closure Map