Single Publication

Unified Command: CIIMT5 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 5,683 acres

Percent Contained: 0% 

Personnel: 1,429

Cause: Lightning

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

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA

FIRE INFORMATION: Due to Labor Day weekend, fire information will not be posted on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook or Instagram pages from Friday through Monday. Fire information will be available inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknp-coffee-pot-fire and videos will continue to be posted on the Park’s YouTube channel at @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018. 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 1,131 acres, and seventy-four percent of primary control lines have been constructed and equipped with hoses and pumps.

Yesterday the fire continued to move downslope towards the South Fork of the Kaweah River at the Scratch Creek junction. Hotshot crews began constructing direct control lines in Scratch Creek to contain the fire. Also, in the northeast, firefighters continued to monitor the low-intensity fire burning in the Salt Creek Grove of giant sequoias. To the north, crews continued brushing along Mineral King Road, and the Fire Use Modules constructed indirect control lines from the fire’s edge at Homers Nose north toward Horse Creek and Mineral King Road.  Last night conditions were favorable to start the strategic fire operation at the northeast corner near Case Mountain. Crews began the firing operation along Salt Creek Ridge and moved west to secure the line. 

Today, firefighters' priority is along the South Fork of the Kaweah River near Scratch Creek. Crews will continue holding the containment lines at Scratch Creek and along South Fork Drive. They will continue the strategic firing operation in the northeast, bringing fire down Salt Creek Ridge. They will also initiate an aerial fire operation on the southwest flank near Bennet Creek to slow the fire's spread downslope. Crews are also monitoring fire activity in the Salt Creek and Lady Bug Groves of giant sequoias. 

EVACUATION NOTICES: On August 28, 2024, an Evacuation ORDER was issued for zone TLC-E128-B, the area north of South Fork Drive, east of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek, fire control road), south of Skyline Drive (south of Case Mountain and Homers Nose), and west of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Boundary. An Evacuation WARNING remains in effect for zones TLC-E128-A, TLC-E127-B, and zone TLC-E094-B. For a current list of evacuation orders and warnings, go to: http://protect.genasys.com/

WEATHER: High pressure over the area will bring continued warming and drying weather today. Skies will be sunny with haze and smoke. Winds will be diurnal and terrain-driven today and tonight. This weather pattern is expected to continue for the next couple of days.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Most areas within our outlook area can expect to see the highest smoke concentrations later this morning, with improving air quality in the afternoon before smoke returns overnight. Levels are expected to reach UNHEALTHY this morning from Three Rivers to the Sequoia and Kings National Parks Foothills Visitor Center and near Springville. The East Fork Kaweah drainage will again see the highest impacts, with levels likely reaching HAZARDOUS this afternoon before improving overnight. Levels are expected to peak at UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in the Giant Forest and should remain MODERATE to GOOD near Pinehurst. We are also tracking smoke drifting further from the fire, raising levels to MODERATE as far north as Mammoth. 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. Additional law enforcement will be patrolling the area through the holiday weekend. 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 Ladybug 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.

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.