U.S. Forest Service

The Kern River Ranger District (KRRD) will be performing prescribed burns tomorrow morning, Tuesday, February 23, 2021, if weather, air and resources permit. The burn piles are located along the Unal Interpretive Trail on Greenhorn Mountain. Michael Turowski will be the RxB3(t) and Travis Clendenen will be the qualified, along with multiple firefighters and engines from the KRRD district. Plans are to burn 30 piles for approximately 10 acres. ... Smoke will most likely be visible from many communities surrounding Isabella Lake. (Unal Trail takes off from the USFS Summit Station on Greenhorn Mtn., off Hwy. 155)

Sequoia National Forest to hold Virtual OHV Grant Application Workshop Help shape the future of Off-Highway Vehicle use within the Sequoia National Forest The Forest Service is requesting public input for the California 2021 OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program applications. Part of the grant process is gathering input or project ideas from individuals and organizations for the agencies to consider including in its submission. Feedback will be used in developing the ...preliminary grant applications and as final applications are prepared. Thursday, February 25, the Sequoia National Forest will host a virtual Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Application Workshop from 6-7:30 pm for public review and comments on the preliminary 2021 grant application(s). Forest staff will use public comments or suggestions from the workshop to develop the preliminary California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR) grant application. OHMVR grants enable continued management of a sustainable OHV program that benefits users and protects resources. 2021 Grant Cycle Important Dates Monday, Mar. 1: Preliminary applications are due by 5 pm. Tuesday, Mar. 2 to Monday, May 3: Public review and comment period Monday, Jun. 7: Final applications are due June and July: OHMVR Division review of final applications Monday, Aug. 2: Application Results o Intent to Award posted on the OHMVR Division's website http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/ Tuesday, Aug. 3 to Wednesday, Sept. 1: Thirty (30) calendar day appeal period Thursday, Sept. 2: Final awards posted on the OHMVR Division's website upon resolution of any appeals The Forest Service application will focus on maintaining off-road vehicle routes, facilities, signage, law enforcement, and education. The California OHMVR and Sequoia National Forest have maintained a successful partnership for more than 25 years. Please register by emailing at [email protected] no later than Wednesday, February 24 for the virtual OHV Grant Application Workshop. You will receive an email with an agenda and link to the virtual workshop. For more information or to provide your comments through other means, please contact Sequoia National Forest Recreation Officer, Karen Miller, at [email protected].

Download the Visitor Map mobile app for offline capability and more Before your next national forest or grassland adventure, download the Visitor Map mobile app... and try out the Offline Maps capabilities when you’re in an area with no cell coverage. This feature is found under Settings (the gear icon) and is called Offline Maps." Make sure you download your favorite national forest’s or grassland’s map data before you head out! *ALWAYS remember to recreate responsibly. https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/about-visitor-map

Efforts continue to prescribe burn hand piles at the Trail of 100 Giants on the Western Divide Ranger District. An additional 85 piles were ignited yesterday, and more are planned for today. There is still a great amount of snow accumulated throughout the area along with high relative humidity making ignitions a little more challenging during the early morning hours. Fire personnel tactically concentrated efforts on the south part of the Trail that was more exposed. Good smoke dispersion was observed as the piles burned down to the desired consumption goals to meet burn plan objectives. Cleanup efforts will be done on approximately 60 acres and continue as weather, fuel, and smoke conditions permit.

Happy National Bird Day! To celebrate, our friends at the U.S. Forest Service - Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois are discussing restoration of hab...itats for grassland birds like short-eared owls. The discussion kicks off a full year of celebrations of 25 years of America’s National Tallgrass Prairies. There will be a virtual panel, Midewin NTP: A Haven for Grassland Birds and More with archaeologist Joe Wheeler and others at 6 p.m. Central tonight. To register, email [email protected] or call (815) 423-6370. See more

SR155 is once again a two-lane highway! If you haven’t driven near Isabella Lake’s main dam lately, you’ll be pleased to know that construction is wrapping up o...n that piece of the project. We expect construction on the right abutment wall (the long wall running along the right side of the highway in this image) to be complete by the end of the month. See more

Sequoia National Forest extends temporary overnight camping prohibition USDA Sequoia National Forest officials announce Forest Orders Nos. 0513-21-01,02 and 03, which extend Forest Orders Nos. 20-43,44 and 45 prohibiting overnight camping in the Sequoia National Forest for public health and welfare. The new orders remain in effect through Sunday, January 31, 2021, unless extended or rescinded. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has decided to extend the developed ca...mpground closure on 12 National Forests in California to provide consistent COVID-19 mitigation response in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Stay-at-Home Orders. These Regional Orders will be in effect through January 29, 2021. "The health and welfare of Forest visitors, Forest staff, public safety officers, and first responders remain our number one priority," Forest Supervisor Teresa Benson emphasized. "We urge all visitors to follow CDC guidelines to recreate responsibly. If an area is crowded, please search for a less occupied location." For more details on the Stay-at-Home order, visit COVID19.ca.gov. Forest and Regional orders are available at https://go.usa.gov/xA3sq. Outdoor recreation can be beneficial for your health but must be practiced safely. We continue to recommend that you not travel long distances to recreate. If you or anyone in your household feels sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time. All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during their visit to the forest. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. Responsible recreation practices should always be maintained, including: Research winter road conditions and make sure your vehicle is snow ready; Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others; Do not gather in groups and please follow the latest guidance from officials; Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass; Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use; and All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USFS Extends Developed Campground Closures on Twelve National Forests VALLEJO, Calif. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has decided to extend the developed campground closure on 12 National Forests in California to provide consistent COVID-19 mitigation response in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Stay-at-Home Orders. These Regional Orders will be in effect through January 29, 2021. The closed campgrounds on National Forests are in California’s Greater Sacram...ento, Southern, and San Joaquin zones, including Angeles NF, Cleveland NF, Eldorado NF, Inyo NF, Los Padres NF, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Plumas NF, San Bernardino NF, Sequoia NF, Sierra NF, Stanislaus NF, and the Tahoe NF. Day use of National Forests will remain open for the health and welfare of Californians. We urge all visitors to follow CDC guidelines to recreate responsibly and check with your local National Forests before visiting. This order extension will protect visitors and our employees by reducing exposure to COVID-19 and mitigating the further burden on limited healthcare facilities, said Randy Moore, Regional Forester of the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. Regional Orders 21-1, 21-2, and 21-3 are linked within. The Pacific Southwest Region’s eighteen National Forests align with the state of California’s zones as follows: Southern San Bernardino, Los Padres, Cleveland, Angeles, Inyo National Forests Northern Mendocino, Modoc, Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, Lassen National Forests San Joaquin - Stanislaus, Sierra, Sequoia National Forests Greater Sacramento - Eldorado, Tahoe, Plumas National Forests, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). We continue to recommend that you not travel long distances to recreate and, again, check with your local National Forest before visiting. If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time. All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during your visits to national forests. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. Responsible recreation practices should be maintained at all times, including: Research winter road conditions and make sure your vehicle is snow ready; Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others; Do not gather in groups and please follow the latest guidance from officials; Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass; Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use; and All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly. Public Contact Hotline: (707) 562-9113 [email protected]

Containment of the SQF Complex reached 100% for the portion of the fire managed by the Sequoia National Forest. Winter conditions are expected to extinguish remaining hot spots. Until the area receives substantial precipitation, those traveling thru the fire area can expect to see pockets of smoke deep inside the fire perimeter. Smoldering debris around tree trunks continue to weaken fire-damaged trees, posing a hazard of them falling at any time. Smoldering stump holes an...d their roots can be found burning months after a wildfire, posing a hazard for anyone stepping near or on them. Local firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire's edge, extinguishing hot spots that could spread beyond contained lines. Much work is left to be done on fire suppression repair; heavy equipment is anticipated to return in the spring to continue this effort. Forest officials have extended the closure of Sequoia National Forest managed land affected by the Castle Fire through January 31, 2021. Details of the Forest Closure and a map of the closed area can be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7048/58930/ "Once the area receives enough precipitation to fully extinguish remaining hot spots, including duff burning around tree trunks and deep inside stump holes and roots, the Forest Service hopes to re-open the area to the public, stated District Ranger Eric LaPrice. We are all hoping for more rain and snow to assist us in this effort. In the meantime, thank you for your patience while we keep the area closed to protect the public. An Interagency Emergency Task Force continues to prepare for flash floods and debris flow, busily cleaning debris from culverts and drains to minimize impacts. Those traveling thru the fire area on Highway 190 should expect frequent delays at roadblocks where work is ongoing. Information and resources available to residents affected by the SQF Complex Fire can be found on Tulare Counties website https://tularecounty.ca.gov/recovers/

The wave of the future: transparent wood could replace glass in your windows. Researchers found that transparent wood has the potential to outperform glass curr...ently used in construction in nearly every way. Although glass is the most common material used in window construction, it’s expensive for homeowners. Heat easily transfers through glass, especially single pane, and amounts to higher energy bills when it escapes during cold weather and pours in when it’s warm. Find out more in this re-share of one of our top blogs from 2020. https://www.usda.gov//transparent-wood-could-be-window-fut

Cool, dry and windy conditions will affect the SQF Complex Fire starting today and last through tomorrow. The National Weather Service office has issued a Red Flag Warning thru 5:00 p.m. tomorrow for very gusty winds and extremely low relative humidity. Firefighters in the southern half of the fire are focusing on suppression repair as well as finding and extinguishing any hot spots along the fires perimeter that could spread. Crews have been extracted from the northeast port...ion of the fire in anticipation of the cold and windy weather. That part of the fire will be monitored by air resources as weather conditions allow. Two contingency groups of firefighters have been placed in areas of concern to take immediate action on new growth of the Castle Fire or initial attack action on new fires. Photo is one of our five CONAFOR Crews from Mexico assisting with suppression efforts on the SQF Complex, photo provided by Juan Najera, BLM.

Low level moisture, mainly clear skies, light winds, long nights and high pressure aloft will create ideal conditions for fog formation tonight and Wednesday morning.

Fire officials anticipate that lower temperatures and partial cloud cover will continue to help moderate fire activity through Saturday and part of Sunday. As a low-pressure system enters the area later Sunday and into Monday, winds will switch to the east and northeast and increase, with gusts up to 35 mph in the higher elevations. This has prompted a fire weather watch to be issued for Monday thru Tuesday. Winds could test newly constructed firelines in the far northern par...t of the fire. If firelines hold through the projected wind event, fire managers will be more confident to increase containment of the fire. The Shotgun Fire was fully contained at 841 acres on October 6, 2020. The Castle Fire is currently 75% contained. Much of the uncontained areas on the Castle Fire include steep terrain that is inaccessible to firefighters and will remain monitored by aircraft. Pockets of burning vegetation may also generate occasional smoke within the perimeter of the fire area. Please refer to Inciweb for up to date information and maps https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/ or access through the QR code. Recently burned areas are at a greater risk of mudflows and flash floods. Fires eliminate vegetation that can hold soil in place and charred ground may be unable to absorb water. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety and property. Rapid burn assessments identify areas that have increased potential for floods and mudflows. For more information, please visit the SQF Complex BAER Inciweb page https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7240/ The lightning-caused Castle and Shotgun Fires were discovered on August 19, 2020, and later managed as one incident named the SQF Complex. The Castle Fire burned on portions of the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument (129,000 acres), Inyo National Forest (12,290 acres), Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (16,289 acres), lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (728 acres), State (4037 acres), County, and private lands and threatened the Tule River Indian Reservation.

A slight increase in relative humidity helped moderate fire activity yesterday on the SQF Complex, especially in mid-level elevations. Firefighters made good progress on line construction from Homers nose to Cahoon Meadow. Helicopter bucket work continued to check fire spread in the Hockett Meadow area. Firefighters were able to complete fireline and tie it into a cliff face in the Maggie area. Command of the SQF Complex Fire was transferred from California Incident Management Team 13 to the Eastern Area Gold Team at 6:00 p.m. yesterday evening. Thanks to Team 13 for their excellent leadership in directing fire suppression efforts and ensuring a smooth transition to the incoming team.

The Eastern Area Gold Team. (EA Gold Team) assumed command of the SQF Complex fire at 6:00 p.m. yesterday evening, Oct. 22. Firefighter efforts will continue to work towards full suppression and ongoing fire suppression repair work. Even as containment of the fire increases, you can still expect to see smoke rising from within the fire perimeter. The warm and dry weather combined with unusually dry, live and dead, vegetation creates the perfect ingredients for rekindling poc...kets of unburned fuel. This is a common occurrence on large fires, the public should be aware that smoke may be visible from well within the fire perimeter until the area receives a lot of precipitation. Crews and air operations continue to work in the Homers Nose, Cahoon and Hockett areas. Great progress has been made to date. The spike camp crews continue to be supported by air operations for necessary food and air support allowing the teams to have additional time to do fire work rather than travel back and forth to camp. The Black Rock spike team has been moved to the Whitsett Spike camp. Just a few more days of work remain on the Mineral King Road.

USDA Forest Service Region 5 Fire Restrictions extended through October 30, 2020. Regional Order No. 20-23, which prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, and smoking on National Forest System lands under R5 jurisdiction. This Order contains an exemption for portable lanterns or stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel within a Developed Recreation Site. This Order will protect natural resources and provide for the safety of forest visitors by mitigating wildfire ignition potential during these extreme fire conditions. It will be in effect through October 30, 2020.

Have you seen those boards with information about the #SQFComplex fire? They are placed by public information offiicers. And in this case, one of the PIOs was an evacuee and resident of Three Rivers.

Several sequoia trees became hazardous trees because of damage caused by the #SQFComplex/Castle Fire in 2020. Massive tree limbs in Sequoia Crest were at risk of falling to the ground, landing on roads and cabins nearby. Thanks to a crane and skilled crews, the branches were cut off safely. Watch to see how it was done. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

The Forest Service is filling fire positions! Apply on USAJOBS.gov or visit go.usa.gov/xGTHc

We are seeking additional comments on a proposed nationwide programmatic agreement under the National Historic Preservation Act. The agreement will provide Nati...onal Forests a different and optional approach on how to consider and manage historic and cultural resources in large-scale, multi-year projects, including those that help improve forest conditions. The Forest Service invites you and other interested parties to submit your input on the proposed draft through November 20. Learn more about the agreement here: go.usa.gov/xpV56 See more

An ember from the #SQFComplex fire made its way inside a massive sequoia tree. Watch to see how crews climbed high with hose in hand to save the tree. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Masks are light and can blow away out of pockets and car doors pretty easily. Let's all strive to stay healthy and make sure our personal items are stowed away ...so we #LeaveNoTrash! Next week is #LeaveNoTrash week where we’ll be asking you all to get outside, pick up some trash and share it to social media. Get a head start by taking our pledge at lnt.org/pledge to tell us how much trash you intend to pick up! See more