U.S. Forest Service

One more important thing to add if your vehicle breaks down in the fog. If you can not find shelter far away from the highway, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE WITH YOUR SEATBELT ON UNTIL HELP ARRIVES!!

Sierra National Forest Declares the Creek Fire 100% contained CLOVIS, Calif., December 24, 2020 For Immediate Release. With the recent change in weather conditions, Fire Officials with the Sierra National Forest are declaring the Creek Fire 100 percent contained. The Creek Fire started the evening of September 04, 2020 in the Big Creek drainage burning an unprecedented 379,895 acres before being contained on December 24, 2020.... Due to the severity of the fire, many hazard trees now exist in areas where the Creek Fire burned. Hazard trees along roadways, trails and in developed recreational areas can pose a risk to public safety. Falling trees and large limbs are becoming more and more prominent in the forest as hazard trees that have been in place for extended periods, become increasingly unstable. Active forest management measures remain in progress addressing the hazards caused by the Creek Fire. Situational awareness of the locations and conditions on the Forest by all members of the public is critical, to include avoiding areas where exposure to hazard trees could occur, and those areas that remain under a Forest closure order. Because of the many hazards that remain, the Sierra Creek Forest Order No. 05-15-00-20-22 maintains closure of the Creek Fire burned area, providing some access for recreation outside of this zone. For further information on the decision for the remaining closure, please go to the more detailed justification that can be found at this Link: https://go.usa.gov/xAbm9 The current order is in effect through January 6th, 2021 where it will be reassessed. It is the intent of forest leadership at the conclusion of this order to open more general areas of the forest while focusing the remaining closure on specific roads and improved recreational areas that are not yet safe to utilize. For further information regarding the Sierra National Forest and recreational activities please contact the High Sierra Ranger District office in Prather, Calif. at 559-855-5355; the Bass Lake Ranger District in North Fork, Calif. at 559-877-2218; or the Forest Supervisors Office in Clovis, Calif. at 559-297-0706. Please follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/SierraNF and Like the Sierra National Forest on Facebook at ww.Facebook.com/SierraNF, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/sierra. Know Before You Go: Become familiar with the area that you are visiting. Call the local Forest Service office near the area you will be visiting to check for conditions, restrictions and closures.

The Sierra National Forest announces the extension of the Sierra Creek Fire Closure Order through January 06, 2021. The purpose of Creek Fire Order No. 05-15-00-20-22 is to protect public and employee health and safety, along with protection of natural and cultural resources on the Sierra National Forest from December 10, 2020 January 06, 2021. To view this order and to find other information on recreation in the Sierra National Forest please follow the link provided. https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/

Sierra National Forest (SNF), Clovis, CA., December 23, 2020 Launching in March 2021, overnight visitors to the Sierra National Forest’s wilderness areas will be able to make their wilderness permit reservations using the website Recreation.gov. This will replace the current system, by which reservations were submitted by mail, or in person, and processed manually. Recreation.gov provides trip planning and reservation services for public lands nationwide, using it for wilde...rness permit issuance will bring the forest into alignment with the adjacent Inyo National Forest, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Beginning in early March, reservations will become available in a rolling window six months in advance of entry dates. This new way of reserving a permit will be in real-time, showing availability information, as well as instant reservation confirmations, which visitors continue to request. says SNF Recreation Officer Jody Nickerson-Powell. Recreation.gov also eases the payment process and provides more specific information for different entry points. We believe that wilderness visitors will find the new system and trip planning a much better experience. To cover the costs associated with the new system, the quota season permit fee will increase to $6 plus $5 per person with the same 15 person maximum per permit. Refunds of the per person portion of the fee will be available in this new system in the event of cancellations or party size reductions 12 days prior to the trip. The permit system is an essential part of the forests’ wilderness stewardship efforts, as it provides the opportunity for solitude and other valued wilderness characteristics by limiting the number of people recreating in sensitive ecosystems and ensures visitors have the information to protect themselves and the wilderness environment. When excessive use occurs at the same time, the opportunity for solitude decreases, vegetation can be damaged, erosion is accelerated, and the risk of water pollution increases. Visitors will be able to begin making wilderness permit reservations in early March, of 2021 (TBD). In the meantime, please explore the Inyo National Forest’s information on Recreation.Gov to learn about this new opportunity https://go.usa.gov/xAbwp. Questions can be also be directed to the Sierra National Forest, at [email protected] or by calling one of the Forest Offices the High Sierra Ranger District at (559) 855-5355 ext. 3301, Bass Lake Ranger District (559) 877-2218 ext. 0, and the Supervisors Office (559) 297-0706. Photo Courtesy of Josh Courter

SAR MEDICAL AID: On 12/19/20 around 2pm, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call for service regarding a female subject who had slippe...d and fallen along Willow Creek at Angel Falls Recreation Area. The patient, a 46 year old female from Fresno, was hiking along the creek with her family and slipped when they attempted to cross to the other side. The patient suffered injuries to her lower right leg and was unable to walk. Family members called 911 and requested help. Search and rescue team members were able to place ropes for safety to pull the female from the center of the creek and carry her out by litter to an awaiting ambulance. Mercy Ambulance from Mariposa transported her to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. Over 15 rescuers came together to make this a successful mission. Thank you to agency partners, Sierra Ambulance, Mercy Ambulance, CAL-FIRE, Madera County Fire, CHP, and United States Forest Service for their assistance during this rescue. The Sheriff’s Office would like to the caution the public while hiking around rivers and streams. With locations such as Angel Falls, which are close to parking lots and trails, hikers can have a false sense of security. As winter weather progresses, rocks are slippery and water will not only flow faster, but temperatures can be deadly cold. Please use extreme care around rivers and creeks. MCSO reminds you to STOP in wilderness settings: S - STAY TOGETHER: Most SAR emergencies happen when parties split up. Stay with your partners until you return to the trailhead. T - TURN AROUND...BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE: The only cure for altitude sickness is rapid descent. If you feel sick, turn around. A slight elevation change - even from the valley floor to the mountains - can cause altitude sickness. O - OWNERSHIP: You are responsible for your own safety and rescue is never a guarantee. P - PREPARE AND TRAIN: Bring the gear you need and know how to use it before you hike.

Sierra National Forest to host a public meeting, seeking input for the 2022 California Off-Highway Vehicle grant funding program CLOVIS, Calif. Dec. 9, 2020 The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is requesting public input for the California 2022 State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle. Each year the State of California makes funding available through the OHMVR Grants Program. This Program provides financial ...assistance to eligible agencies and organizations (federal, city, county, nonprofit, etc.) who develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well- managed, high quality, OHV recreation areas, roads, and trails. On Wednesday, December 16, 2020 the SNF will host a virtual open house between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. through Microsoft Teams (you do not need to download software to join). Members of the public are encouraged to join the meeting to discuss ideas and proposals as a means of assisting the SNF’s project development for this year’s grant application cycle. A link to the Teams meeting will be provided by email after you RSVP via email to SNF Recreation Officer, Jody Nickerson-Powell, via email at [email protected]. For more information about the grant process, OHV program, or potential projects, please contact Bass Lake Ranger District Off Highway Vehicle Manager, Ted Webb, via email at [email protected]; or High Sierra Ranger District Off Highway Vehicle Manager, Kevin Woods, or via email [email protected].

#CreekFire update and smoke report for Wednesday, November 4 in Spanish. #FireYear2020

While the Creek Fire has quieted down, there is still a massive amount of work to be done along the fire line. Some of that work requires the skilled use of massive equipment before it is safe to open the area back up for public access. Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Sierra Nevada and Kern County mountains from 4 AM PST Monday until 6 PM PST Tuesday. The combination of very dry fuels, ...gusty winds, and low relative humidity values can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. See more

Nov 10th, 2020 - Alaska Interagency Management Team Operations Section Chief, Casey Boespflug, provides the daily operational update. For more information: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected]... Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ #CreekFire #FireYear2020

Nov 4 - Creek Fire Weather Forecast with Incident Meteorologist Angie Enyedi. Wind speeds will be increasing until Friday and then there is a sixty percent chance of rain or snow precipitation developing Friday evening. For more information and answers to questions: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected]... Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/ #CreekFire #FireYear2020

A High Wind Warning is in effect for Yosemite to Kings Canyon National Park from 10 PM PST tonight until 10 PM PST Monday night. A High Wind Warning means that ...a hazardous, high wind event is expected. Damaging wind gusts will blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are expected. Travel will be perilous, particularly for high profile vehicles. See more

#CreekFire smoke outlook for Tuesday, Nov. 10. Heavy fuels will continue to smolder and produce minimal amounts smoke today. Smoke production is not expected to impact communities surrounding the fire. For a downloadable PDF version of the smoke outlook, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201010-105632-0.pdf... For more information: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/ #Fireseason2020

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the Sierra Nevada and Kern County mountains from 4 AM PST Monday until 6 PM PST Tuesday. The combination of very dry fuels..., gusty winds, and low relative humidity values can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. See more

Nov 4th, 2020 - Operations Section Chief, Casey Boespflug, with Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team provides the daily operational update. If you prefer to view this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4pldVjN-GiU For more information and answers to questions:... Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/ #CreekFire #FireYear2020

Created by Malcolm McLeod former Ranger on the Sierra National Forest in 1905. McLeod Meadow on the Bass Lake Ranger District is named in his honor.

#CreekFire update for Tuesday, Nov. 10. No change in acreage. Containment remains at 70%. For a downloadable PDF version of the update, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201010-095114-0.pdf Incident Start Date: Sept. 4, 2020 Cause: Under Investigation Acres: 379,729...Continue reading

#CreekFire public information and infrared maps for Tuesday, November 10. Acreage remains at 379,729 acres and containment remains at 70%. Scattered heat signatures in northeast corner of the fire near Pumice Butte, Pond Lily Lake, Pincushion Peak, Saddle Mountain and Madera Peak. For a downloadable PDF version of the public information map, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov///2020_11_10-09.18.01.093-CST.pdf For a downloadable PDF version of the infrared map, go to https://inc...iweb.nwcg.gov///2020_11_10-09.18.41.420-CST.pdf For more information: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/ #Fireseason2020

#CreekFire smoke outlook for Wednesday, Nov. 4. The San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District maintains an Air Quality Alert due to smoke from area wildfires. The Creek Fire is 378,730 acres and is 70% contained. This day marks the two-month anniversary of this historic Fire for the Sierra National Forest. Today, westerly winds, low RH, and historically dry forest fuel continues to allow fire to slowly move in an easterly direction on the northeast perimeter and clean up unb...urned interior islands. Light winds and stable air are expected over the forecast area today. Diurnal winds will move smoke upslope as sun heats the ground and then downslope in the afternoon following inversion break. Mammoth Lakes can expect overall Moderate with periods of USG. For Yosemite, expect mostly Good to Moderate conditions to continue. The light winds will also allow smoke to settle into the foothill community’s SW of the fire perimeter creating USG with periods of Unhealthy during the afternoon hours, improving overnight. SW winds are expected to begin tomorrow, increasing smoke production and concentration in Mammoth Lakes.

#CreekFire update for Wednesday, November 4. For a downloadable PDF version of the update, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201004-110637-0.pdf Incident Start Date: Sept. 4, 2020 Cause: Under Investigation Acres: 378,730...Continue reading

#CreekFire public information, infrared and progression maps for Wednesday, Nov. 4. Current acreage is 378,730 acres, an increase of about 500 acres from yesterday. Containment remains at 70%. #FireYear2020

As of Tuesday, November 10, there are 656 firefighting personnel working on the 379,729-acre #CreekFire. Containment remains at 70%. Resources assigned include: 9 crews 3 Type 1; 6 Type 2 3 helicopters 1 Type 1; 1 Type 2; 1 Type 3 10 engines 5 Type 3; 1 Type 4; 6 Type 6... 22 excavators 24 water tenders 14 Falling modules 11 masticators 9 skidders 9 dozers 5 feller bunchers 4 graders 3 chippers 3 skid-steers 2 heel booms 2 backhoes 2 dump trucks 1 processor 1 front loader Photo: Three low-boy trucks with trailers are parked at the Creek Fire forward operating base at the Mill in Auberry on Monday, November 9, 2020. The lowboys are used for hauling heavy equipment being used on the fire. Kristian Knutson/Alaska IMT For more information: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/ #Fireseason2020

Crews and contractors on the #CreekFire continue chipping away literally to repair approximately 600 miles of fireline constructed during suppression of the 378,730-acre fire, the largest single fire in California history. Work has been completed on roughly 64% of firelines, more than half of which were constructed using bulldozers. Fire managers try to repair firelines as near as possible to their original state. The work involves using heavy equipment such as excavators..., bulldozers and graders to pull vegetation and berms back onto lines that were cleared to prevent erosion due to rain and runoff, as well as reduce the visual impacts on suppression repair Chippers and masticators are used to chip up trees and brush that were removed and that material is put on lines to divert water and provide stability. They also construct water bars to divert rain and runoff to prevent erosion. The graphic below are the suppression repair statistics as of Tuesday night, November 4. #FireYear2020

Join the Alaska Incident Management Team and representatives from the Sierra National Forest for an update on the #CreekFire, predicted weather and suppression and repair activities. Questions submitted during the meeting will be answered live by subject matter experts. Please email or call questions to: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected]... #CreekFire #FireYear2020

Nov. 9 - This infrared video from an 11:15 a.m. flight today, by the U.S. Forest Service’s Firewatch Cobra helicopter illustrates the effect snow has had on the #CreekFire in the high-country wilderness south of Mammoth Lakes in the area of Pond Lily Lake. Just a few days ago this section of the fire on the northeast corner was the last remaining holdout in terms of fire activity. As illustrated in previous infrared videos posted here, the fire was still burning and spreading.... As you see in this video, the winter weather the past two days has definitely cooled things down. Now, there are only scattered heat signatures showing up with basically little to no possibility of spread. While this area of the fire is by no means out, this video shows you what 10-12 inches of snow has done to moderate fire activity. Commentary by U.S. Forest Service Air Attack Officer Brian Baker. For more information: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ #Fireseason2020

After an area is burned on the #CreekFire, the work has just begun. Sierra National Forest Silviculturist, Olivia Roe, explains the importance of harvesting burned trees for timber while ensuring public safety along the roadsides. Subscribe to the Creek Fire 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQ4dBl9nqTdEZh2F6rf7MA/... Video credit: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team Public Information Officers, Kristian Knutson and Jayme Dittmar Media: Available for media use with mandatory credit of at least 3 seconds to Creek Fire #FireYear2020

CREEK FIRE COMMUNITY MEETING Join us November 4th, 2020, at 7:00 PM, live on the Sierra National Forest Facebook Page and the Creek Fire Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2HhOSh8. The Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team and Sierra National Forest will provide an update on fire behavior, predicted weather and suppression and repair activities. Questions submitted in the comments and via email will be answered following the presentations. ASL services provided. #CreekFire #FireYear2020

#CreekFire update and smoke outlook for Monday, Nov. 9 in Spanish. For a downloadable PDF Spanish version of the update, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201009-134653-0.pdf For a downloadable PDF Spanish version of the smoke outlook, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201009-135657-0.pdf... #FireYear2020

Nov 3, 2020 - Fire crews continue restoration and reforestation efforts along Huntington Lake. Repair East One Division Lead, Clint Wade, discusses the Serria National Forest's strategy behind forest repair. If you prefer to watch this film on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHaJhr2-T0g For more information:... Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Video credit: Kristian A. Knutson, AK Interagency Incident Management Team PIO Media: Available for media use with mandatory credit of at least 3 seconds to Creek Fire. #CreekFire #FireYear2020

Nov 9th, 2020 - Alaska Interagency Management Team Operations Section Chief, Casey Boespflug, provides the daily operational update. For more information: Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected]... Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ If you would rather watch this film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j2ZKoLiGUgI #CreekFire #FireYear2020

#CreekFire smoke outlook for Monday, November 9. For a downloadable PDF version go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201009-134932-0.pdf Heavy fuels will continue to smolder and produce minimal amounts smoke today. Smoke production is not expected to impact communities surrounding the fire. Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147... Twitter: @Sierra_NF Fire information line: 559-549-3781 (8 am to 9 pm daily) Email: [email protected] #FireYear2020

#CreekFire update and smoke report for Tuesday, November 3 in Spanish. #FireYear2020

#CreekFire update for Monday, November 9. No change in acreage from yesterday. For a downloadable PDF version of the update go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov//relate/pict20201009-134443-0.pdf Incident Start Date: Sept. 4, 2020 Cause: Under Investigation Acres: 379,729...Continue reading

Nov 3rd, 2020 - Operations Section Chief, Casey Boespflug, with Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team provides the daily operational update. If you would prefer to watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DJBZ9ZGi4Q For more information:... Fire Info Phone Line: 559-549-3781 Email: [email protected] Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/ Video credit: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team Media: Available for media use with mandatory credit of at least 3 seconds to Creek Fire #CreekFire #FireYear2020