Springville, CA - The Fish Fire was discovered on August 23rd burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Sequoia National Forest. The cause of the fire is lightning from the storms on August 18-19th. Currently the fire is 800 acres and only 5 percent contained. An Interagency Incident Management Team out of Northern Arizona will be taking over management of the Fish Fire as of 6 a.m. tomorrow. Please call fire information (559) 539-2607 ext. -0- or on the website inciweb.org/incident/3701/ for latest fire information.

An area closure will soon be in place in the Golden Trout Wilderness between Burnt Corral Meadow and the Kern River, south of the Kern Ranger Station in neighboring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Backcountry users planning trips to the Golden Trout Wilderness are asked to call the Western Divide Ranger District at 559-539-2607 ext. -0- for latest information on trail closures.

Fire personnel currently assigned to the Fish Fire include 2 helicopters, 3 hand crews, one air attack and 4 air tankers. Additional resources are on order; however there is a shortage of firefighters and equipment due to the numerous fires throughout the western United States. Fire resources are dispatched to fires where lives and structures are most threatened. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority.

Residents of the Kern River Valley are being affected by smoke from the Fish Fire; smoke typically flows down the Kern River Canyon from fires in the Wilderness. Smoke concentrations can be avoided by following a few simple rules. Close windows, doors, and outside vents when it is smoky to prevent accumulations indoors. Run your air conditioner, if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and keep the filter clean. Ventilate your home and work place during periods of little smoke. Avoid physical activities while smoke is dense. (via US Forest Service)