Creek Fire update, Oct. 19: Creek, SQF Complex see slight growth, containment increasing
The Creek Fire has grown to 350,331 acres and was 61% contained on Monday, according to the latest update.
The National Forest Service reported there was no major fire growth in the north zone on Sunday, likely contributing to the single-digit increase in containment along the fire boundary. The south zone also saw little progress, the forest service reported.
In the north, the fire is being monitored by air and infrared heat flights due to safety and access issues present in the high mountain areas.
The majority of the fire growth from Sunday night into Monday was in the Edison Lake area. Fire personnel reported that the fire has continued surface spread as well as in smoldering conditions.
The north zone has dry fuels with potential to flare up if they are exposed to winds.
Full containment of the fire, the largest singlle incident in California history, is still expected Oct. 31. There have been 856 structures destroyed in the Creek Fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
SQF Complex Fire
The SQF Complex Fire was 72% contained and had grown to 168,470 acres as of Monday.
The National Forest Service announced that the south Fork area is now open to residents and some mandatory evacuation orders had been lifted. Some warnings are still in place, however.
2 p.m. update
Effective 5 p.m. Monday, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office removed evacuation warnings for the following areas: Camp Nelson, Pier Point, Mountain Aire, Coy Flat, Doyle Springs, Rodgers Camp, Sequoia Crest, Alpine Village, Redwood Drive Area, Balch Park Road from Battle Mountin Monument to the entrance of Mt. Home Demonstration State Forest, and Bear Creek Road from the Rancheria Fire Contorl Road to the entrance of Mt. Home Demonstration State Forest.
Communities under evacuation warning still include the following: South Fork Drive past Conley Bridge to the end of South Fork Drive, Silver City, and Mineral King.
Areas under a warning are only open to residents who need to do essential business in the area. The general public is asked to stay away.
The Sequoia National Forest still has a partial closure in effect for the public, the sheriff’s office reported.
The weather for Monday was expected to be 3 degrees cooler than Sunday. Smoke will still cover the area.
A storm system is being monitored for the coming weekend.
The SQF Complex Fire, caused by lightning strikes Aug. 19, has destroyed 228 structures and full containment is expected Nov. 1.
