Single Publication

Unified Command: CIIMT5 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 3,434 

Percent Contained: 0% 

Personnel: 1,029

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 will be held tonight, August 26, at 6:00 PM at the Three Rivers Memorial Building 43490 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the fire situation, information on the strategic firing operation, and to inform residents of any upcoming evacuation warnings or orders. Those who are unable to attend in person can watch the meeting live on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page @SequoiaKingsNPS or YouTube channel @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018. Questions can be submitted prior to the meeting by emailing 2024.coffeepot.ca@firenet.gov. Please write "Meeting Question” in the subject line.

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: Yesterday, the Coffee Pot Fire increased by 311 acres. Sixty-three percent of primary and indirect control lines have been completed, including indirect control lines between South Fork Drive and Cinnamon Gap, Cinnamon Gap to the top of Case Mountain, and along South Fork Drive. Water hoses and pumps have been placed along the indirect control lines to assist with future fire operations. Three, 10-person Fire Use Modules are identifying control features, such as rock outcrops and other natural barriers, to contain the east flank of the fire.

Protecting Three Rivers and adjacent areas is the highest priority, as fire crews are continuing to strengthen and widen indirect control lines on the western and southern flanks. This afternoon, fire crews may begin a strategic firing operation to test burning conditions. This operation will be conducted near the fire’s edge, away from the indirect control line. If tests are successful, a strategic firing operation using a backing fire to control the fire’s intensity and rate of spread will be initiated near Case Mountain, continuing down to South Fork Drive. This operation is anticipated to last several weeks. 

WEATHER: Temperatures are continuing to increase today, with humidity decreasing, and sunny and hazy conditions persisting. Wind will be light out of the northeast in the morning and will shift out of the west and southwest in the afternoon, with some gusts over ridges. Weather will continue to trend hotter and drier until mid-week. 

SMOKE IMPACTS: Continued warm and dry conditions will produce more smoke today. The highest smoke concentrations will be in the Mineral King area, with air quality levels moving from MODERATE in the morning to UNHEALTHY later this afternoon. The Giant Forest area can expect to see MODERATE levels during the day, with concentrations increasing to UNHEALTHY overnight. The area from Three Rivers to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Foothills Visitor Center is seeing increased smoke this morning and will remain between MODERATE and UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS today, possibly reaching UNHEALTHY tonight. Pinehurst and Springville can expect to experience MODERATE conditions as well today. Expect increasing smoke impacts later this week as crews begin to execute strategic firing operations. 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.