Wilderness Area Closure in Effect Due to Fish Fire

Kern River


by Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce
8-25-2013
(760) 379-5236
Website

SPRINGVILLE, August 24, 2013--With the likelihood of the Fish Fire spreading towards the Kern River in the Golden Trout Wilderness, to provide for public safety, Forest officials have decided to enact an area closure for the Fish Fire. A general description of the closure area includes all backcountry trails north of Trout Meadow, west to Lion Meadow, north to the Kern Canyon Ranger Station, east to the Kern River.

Visitors will find a more specific map of trail closures in the Golden Trout Wilderness on Inciweb: inciweb.org/incident/3701/ Anyone planning to travel into the Wilderness is asked to contact the Western Divide Ranger District at 559-539-2607 to obtain your permit for overnight stay in areas outside the closure area. This closure is effective immediately and is in effect until further notice.

Only those visitors going into the backcountry are affected by this closure, all front country roads and campgrounds are currently open, however smoke may be dense in the morning hours due to it drifting down into the canyons at night. A reminder, there are no campfires allowed anywhere in Sequoia National Forest or Giant Sequoia National Monument.

The Fish Fire has grown to 1,000 acres, and is being managed in a full suppression strategy. It is burning in a remote area with few natural barriers to stop fire spread. Additional resources have been ordered to assist with containment of the fire although competition for resources is high due to the large amount of fire activity in the western United States.

Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities throughout the day and is likely to settle into the valleys overnight and in the morning hours. Information on air quality and measures you can take at home to reduce your exposure to smoke can be found on www.valleyair.org/Home.htm for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District or www.gbuapcd.org/ for the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District.

For more information on the Fish Fire please call 559-539-2607 ext. 72292, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm or (559) 719-9624.


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8-25-2013
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