Month: September 2021

Good forest management saves Giants

Per KRCR:

THREE RIVERS, Calif. (AP) — The ancient massive trees of Sequoia National Park’s famed Giant Forest were unscathed Tuesday even though a wildfire has been burning near them on the western side of California’s Sierra Nevada for nearly two weeks.

“As of right now we don’t have any damage to any of our trees,” said fire information officer Mark Garrett.

The KNP Complex, two lightning-sparked fires that merged, has spread over more than 39 square miles (101 square kilometers), feeding on other types of trees that also live on the high-elevation slopes of the mountain range.

Giant Forest is home to about 2,000 sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree, which is considered the world’s largest by volume and is a must-see for visitors to the national park.

Update on KNP complex

Fire burned to within 100 feet of General Sherman, engulfed Long Meadow, Pinewood

Planned ActionsContinued protection and mitigation measures for all sequoia groves within the fire area, including the Giant Forest Sequoia Grove. Structure protection planning and mitigation efforts for National Park infrastructure. Indirect dozer line construction on Cal Fire protection areas and the western park boundary to provide for structure protection and values at risk in Three Rivers and surrounding community. Scout opportunities for direct handline where possible.
Projected Incident Activity12 hours: Humidity levels remain low allowing for active fire behavior through the night with flanking,short uphill runs and group torching. 24 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. 48 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. 72 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires. Anticipated after 72 hours: Smokey conditions reduces solar radiation resulting in terrain driven surface fires.

Antelope Fire gains containment on Sunday, all evacuation orders and warnings lifted

Per KRCR: by Adam RobinsonSunday, September 19th 2021

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<p>Snowmobile Shed at Four Corners on September 12, 2021. (US Forest Service // Klamath National Forest){/p}

11VIEW ALL PHOTOS<p>Snowmobile Shed at Four Corners on September 12, 2021. (US Forest Service // Klamath National Forest){/p}

SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. — Containment on the Antelope Fire increased from 73% to 88% from Saturday morning to Sunday morning, according to US Forest Service officials.

On Sunday morning, USFS said their crews will be continuing to search for smoldering material close to containment lines and extinguish any remaining heat. Officials said they gained the additional containment last night thanks to the extra help from the rain and hard work of their firefighters.

Additionally, USFS officials announced that all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted for the fire.

Critical fire weather for portions of NorCal

Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0157 AM CDT Mon Sep 20 2021

   Valid 201200Z - 211200Z

   ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

   ...Synopsis...
   In the wake of an upper-level trough moving across the northern
   Rockies this morning, strong northwesterly flow aloft will extend
   from the Pacific Northwest into the central Great Basin.  In
   response at the surface, high pressure will build into the northern
   Intermountain West increasing the pressure gradient across
   California.

   ...Northern California...
   Low-level northerly winds have increased across the region this
   morning per VAD wind profiles, indicating wind speeds over 40 mph
   around 1 kft above the ground.  While the low-level winds will
   weaken and become more easterly through the afternoon, the surface
   pressure gradient will continue to increase through the morning,
   resulting in sustained surface winds over 20 mph.  As heating and
   mixing commence at sunrise, RH values will fall below critical
   values by mid morning, resulting in a few hours of overlapping
   critical winds and RH values.

   ...Southern California...
   Locally elevated fire weather conditions are possible across Los
   Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties as the surface pressure
   gradient supports offshore flow resulting in dry and breezy
   conditions in terrain-favored locations.