Single Publication

Unified Command: CIIMT5 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 3,123 acres

Percent Contained: 0% 

Personnel: 915

Cause: Lightning

Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 AM

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA

COFFEE POT FIRE PUBLIC MEETING: A public meeting about the Coffee Pot Fire will be held on Monday, August 26, at 6:00 PM. The meeting will occur at the Three Rivers Memorial Building, 43490 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. If you are unable to attend in person, you can watch the meeting live on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page @SequoiaKingsNPS or YouTube channel @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018.

FIRE INFORMATION: A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM to provide fire information and answer questions.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Coffee Pot Fire increased by 106 acres yesterday as the fire moved slowly downslope. Indirect control lines between South Fork Drive and Cinnamon Gap, and Cinnamon Gap to the top of Case Mountain are nearly complete. Preparation of the indirect control line along South Fork Drive is also near completion.

Today, fire crews and dozers will continue to prioritize the protection of communities, using a full suppression strategy. Fire crews will work to strengthen and widen indirect control lines on the west and south flanks for a planned strategic firing operation. With careful planning alongside our partners, a backing fire, where firefighters will control the fire’s intensity and rate of spread, will be initiated starting at Case Mountain and moving down to South Fork Drive. This will be a multi-day event starting after the current weather system passes. 

WEATHER: Weather remains cooler than average today, sunny with haze and smoke, and higher than average humidity. Temperatures should gradually trend upward by this afternoon. Hot and sunny weather with lower humidity returns for next week, with typical diurnal winds expected. 

SMOKE IMPACTS: Overnight pooling of smoke will begin to lift and disperse by early afternoon. Reduced fire activity improved overnight conditions in most locations. As warmer conditions return today, fire activity will pick up and produce more visible smoke columns in the pockets of heavy downed woody debris. Between Silver City and Mineral King, the increase in activity will result in short durations of conditions that are Unsafe for Sensitive Groups. Regional haze will linger in the forecast area, but visitors and residents can expect improving views of the mountains all day. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

HIGHWAY AND ROAD IMPACTS: Highway 198, Mineral King Road, and Generals Highway in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open. Due to heavy equipment and personnel working on Mineral King Road, expect 30-minute delays or longer. Please plan accordingly. Visitors should exercise extreme caution, stay alert, and drive slowly to keep themselves and fire crews safe.

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed. Park closure information is available online at nps.gov/seki. The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.

EVACUATION WARNING: An Evacuation WARNING has been issued for TLC Zones TLC-E128-B and TLC-E094-B, area north of South Fork Drive, East of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek Fire Control Road), South of Mineral King Road, and West of the National Park Boundary. An evacuation WARNING means you should prepare to evacuate the area should the fire approach your home, or, if ordered to do so. Please stay clear and out of the areas affected by the fire. If there is an emergency, please dial 911. For more regarding evacuations, alert notifications, and zone information, please visit tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.