Crews monitored and held containment lines around the fire’s perimeter last night, resulting in no fire growth.
They interacted and shared information with residents returning to the mountain communities along the northwest section of the fire where evacuation status was downgraded to voluntary yesterday.
Continued hot, dry, and windy conditions require firefighters to remain vigilant. This combination of weather conditions means isolated areas of flame and smoke will be visible well inside the fireline for several days. Visitors and residents are asked to call 911 only if they see fire near containment lines.
Crews will seek and cool down hot spots today to ensure that the fire does not challenge containment lines. Firefighters will also be clearing hazards from Sandy Creek Road, preparing it to be reopened in the future.
Traffic is expected to increase on area roads and highways this Labor Day holiday weekend. Residents and visitors are asked to remain vigilant for firefighting equipment traveling on winding mountain roads.
Tulare County Evacuations and Road Status:
Tulare County has two levels of evacuations: voluntary and mandatory. A voluntary evacuation means that residents should either evacuate or be prepared to do so should conditions worsen. Voluntary evacuations require proof of residency to enter. A mandatory evacuation means that residents should evacuate.
Yesterday, the Tulare County Fire Department, Sheriff, and Emergency Operations Center downgraded the mandatory evacuation order to voluntary for the following communities: Poso Park, Panorama Heights, Balance Rock, McClenney Tract, Sugar Loaf Sawmill, Sugar Loaf Mountain Park, Sugar Loaf Village, and White River Summer Homes. Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for: Posey, Idlewild, Manter Meadow, Pine Mountain Ranch Homes and Rainbow Ranch. Residents under voluntary evacuation must show proof of residency prior to entering evacuated areas.
Portuguese Meadow and Spear Creek Summer Homes, where five cabins and several outbuildings were damaged by the fire, remain under mandatory evacuation.
Current road closures remain in place; however residents are now permitted to enter evacuated areas:
· Mountain 3 (M-3) "White River Rd." is now partially open at Jack Ranch Road east into the evacuated areas around Posey and Idlewild, for residents of Posey and Idlewild only.
· Pine Flat Road is closed at Manter Meadow Road for southbound travel into the evacuated areas around Sugarloaf and Posey. Manter Meadow Road is now partially open, for residents only.
Dumpster locations for disposing of spoiled food, trash, or debris are at the Posey fire station and post office. The American Red Cross is also located at the Posey fire station. County health officials advise residents returning to communities affected by the fire to be cautious when returning to their homes. For a full list of health precautions visit www.tularecounty.ca.gov/ emergencies.
Kern County Evacuations and Road Status:
The precautionary evacuations for the following areas were lifted yesterday:
· On the east side of the Kern River: all residences and businesses from Camp Erwin Owen north to the Kern-Tulare County line, including the Riverkern community
· On the west side of the Kern River: all residences north of the intersection of Diablo Road and Burlando Road north to the Kern-Tulare County line.
No precautionary or recommended evacuations remain in Kern County.
