Sierra National Forest Partially Closed as Basin Fire Size Doubles in Fresno County

A temporary partial closure of the Sierra National Forest is in effect until at least tomorrow because of the Basin Fire that was sparked by lightning this week.

Rangers said the fire in the basin “has grown significantly in recent days.”

Rangers said the closure “is necessary due to the heightened risks associated with the extensive operations required to manage and contain the fire. The safety of the public and our firefighting personnel remains our top priority.”

The closure will remain until July 30th.

The fire, which began Wednesday and was located in a large area northeast of Pine Flat Reservoir, has grown to 7,462 acres without containment.

At least 430 people, six crews, 34 engines and 10 helicopters are fighting the fire.

The Forest Service said light winds Friday helped firefighters slow the growth of the Basin Fire northeast of Fresno.

The fire is burning mostly in dry, dense grass within the scar from the 2015 Wildfire, rangers said.

The fire is burning at 2,000-4,500 elevation northeast of Pine Flat Lake, west of Spanish Mountain, south of Black Rock Road and north of the South Fork of the Kings River.

As of Friday, the fire had burned 5,692 acres but has since doubled in size.

The Kirch Flat camp was evacuated on Wednesday.

A mandatory evacuation order for areas of Fresno County K29, K30, K31 and K40 remain.

Fresno Lightning Complex Fire

Cal Fire said there was minimal fire activity Friday night, but said fresh fire crews continued to strengthen containment lines and work on extinguishing hot spots.

The largest fire of the three for the Fresno Lightning Fire is the Flash/Bolt Fire, located at Palomino and Elwood Road in the Wonder Valley area.

Containment is at 41% with 10,375 hectares burned.

The Hog Fire in Watts Valley and Hog Mt. Rd is 93% contained, with 293 acres burned.

The Strike Fire was contained with an acre burned.

“Over the weekend, we will continue to see an increase in temperatures and low relative humidity, which may contribute to increased fire activity,” Cal Fire wrote in an update.

Evacuation orders have been lifted, Cal Fire said.