SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – More than 2,000 acres along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway have now been charred as the French Fire continues its march through the Bass Lake Ranger District. It is currently at zero percent containment.
The fire, which was reported just before 6 a.m. on Monday, July 28, moved a bit to the south overnight, prompting a precautionary evacuation notice to the community of Kinsman Flats.
Though movement has been mainly to the north and west, the area around the Hogue Ranch saw flames yesterday as the fire moved farther south.
The French Fire started in the San Joaquin River canyon between Fish Creek and Rock Creek, and quickly moved up though the steep, rugged terrain toward Forest Service Road 81 (Minarets/Mammoth Pool Road). Yesterday afternoon, it jumped the road near Slide Creek and quickly consumed several hundred acres
Evacuations were ordered for Fish Creek, Rock Creek and Soda Spring campgrounds, and there is a road closure in place on FS Road 81 at the Ross Cabin, and also at the Grizzly cutoff (FS Road 6S01) intersection. No one will be allowed through except emergency personnel. Motorists are urged to avoid this area.Evacuations are now in place for the Mammoth Pool area – located above North Fork in the Sierra National Forest.
Evacuations are also being made in the area above Cascadel, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. USFS personnel and Sheriff’s deputies are using OHV’s to make contact with campers, hunters, and recreation users in that Forrest area on 8S09.
Pre-evacuation warnings have been issued to Arnold Meadow. Those who received the notices have been advised to be packed and ready to leave if the fire becomes a threat.
There are currently 384 personnel assigned to the incident, including US Forest Service, National Park Service, Cal Fire and private contractors.
No injuries have been reported.
More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
