SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The French Fire has now burned an estimated 13,803 acres and is 60% contained. An evacuation order will be lifted on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 9 a.m. for residents living in the Arnold Meadow and Wagner’s Mammoth Pool Resort area.
The Forest Service Area Road and Trail Closure remains in effect and the area remains closed to the public.
Crews continue to be successful with fireline construction on the north and west perimeters. The east perimeter has burned down to the San Joaquin River.
Fire crews also started fireline suppression repair work, which is repairing or improving fire damaged lands unlikely to recover on their own. The extent of repair will vary depending upon intended use after the fire. For example, the dozers will pull berms back onto the trail and return the line to original grade to prevent concentrations of water flow. Fire hand crews will construct water bars at or below the slope break.
Some firefighting resources, such as engines and crews, were demobilized from the French Fire and sent to other fires in northern California.
Investigators continue to seek the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for the abandoned campfire that started the French Fire just below Rock Creek Campground. Anyone with information about persons seen in the area of Rock Creek Road near the San Joaquin River during the afternoon or evening of Sunday, July 27, is encouraged to call the 559-877-2605.
For information about the Forest Closure and road closures can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/o44cvyu .
A Forest Service Area Road and Trail Closure, Forest Order # 15-14-07, has been issued for the French Fire area. More information about the Forest Closure and the closure can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/o44cvyu.
Warmer weather with gusty winds is expected during the nighttime hours.
