UPDATE – 6:00 pm
The Creek fire has now scorched more than 36,000 acres in less than 24 hours. Many campers have been sheltering in place in and around Mammoth Pool and Arnold Meadow. The campers at Mammoth Pool are reporting that the fire has extinguished itself around them and they feel safe. Still no word on the shelter in place for Arnold Meadow. It is being reported that they are unable to leave due to trees falling across roads.
*UPDATE – Additional evacuation orders for the following areas: Clover Meadow, surrounding campgrounds, Arnold Meadow, Minarets Work Center, Chiquito Campground, and Beasore Rd north to Clover Meadow. This is an evacuation order to leave now. The area is being closed to public access.
Click here for a topo map of the burn area.
SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – With more than 5000 acres burned and 2000 structures threatened and 0% containment the vegetation fire known as the Creek Fire is burning on the Sierra National Forest. The fire started near the San Joaquin River and the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas: Huntington Lake, Big Creek, Shaver Lake, Camp Edison and south on 168 to Littlefield Road. All evacuation orders and closures remain in effect.
This is a unified command with Cal Fire and the US Forest Service. Cause of fire still under investigation.
The Creek Fire has jumped the San Joaquin River and has moved into Madera County with evacuation orders for the Kinsman area of North Fork where Madera County Sheriff Deputies went door-to-door evacuating residents. The camping areas of Rock Creek and Fish Creek have also been evacuated up to and including Wagner’s Store/Mammoth Pool.
In addition a forward fire 5 miles north caused from embers has created evacuation orders for Cascadel Woods and the Whiskey Falls area now dubbed the Peckinpah fire.
UPDATE – The Red Cross evacuation center for the Peckinpah fire is set up at the North Fork Elementary School, 33087 Rd. 228, North Fork, CA. 93643
There are 20 engines, 5 hand crews, 3 dozers, 2 helicopters and 3 air tankers with a total personal of 450 currently fighting the fire. Crews are being challenged by steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures.
Additional resources have been ordered including a Type 1 Incident Management Team.
For ongoing information click on Creek Fire update.
