NORTH FORK – Crews continue to make excellent progress on the Fish Fire, burning near Fish Creek Campground on Forest Road 4S81 (Mammoth Pool Road/ Minarets Road).
The fire is now estimated at 77 acres with 75 percent containment.
Overnight fire behavior was at a low, allowing crews to gain a lot of ground. Activity remains concentrated on the east flank where crews have been successful in keeping the fire from entering the San Joaquin River drainage.
The Fish Fire was reported at 4:17 p.m. on Monday, July 15, and is burning in a steep rugged area with dry vegetation consisting of heavy brush and dead and downed timber in an area with an active fire history – the footprint of the 2014 French Fire.
Fire crews are focused on holding the fire east of Dead End Road (8S67), south of Rock Creek Diversion Road (7S47), west of the San Joaquin River, and north of Ross Creek.
Today, firefighters will continue to improve existing containment lines and continue direct line construction where the fire is still the most active.
There are currently 130 personnel assigned to the incident.
No road closures have been reported, there are no structures threatened, and no injuries to fire personnel.
“Wildland fire, just as wind and weather, has helped shape the beauty of the Sierra Nevada and is an integral and necessary part of the ecosystem,” said Sierra National Forest officials in a statement released today. “The Fish Fire effects will help diminish the risk of future fires in the area being larger, more destructive, and harder to control.
“In particular having burned in the French Fire footprint, the Fish Fire has cleaned the heavy accumulated brush and dead and downed trees creating a fuel break, providing one significant piece of the puzzle that reduces the potential for an unwanted fire to move towards the developed areas of Kinsman Flat, Hogue Ranch, Clearwater, and the recreational areas of Mammoth Pool.”
Smoke impact of varying degrees can be expected as the fire continues to burn, and will be felt in the local recreational areas. To help minimize smoke impact and learn about air quality and smoke forecasts please visit either www.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
