Springville, Ca. - October 21, 2016 – A wildfire was discovered around 5 p.m., on Thursday burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Sequoia National Forest. The Jacobson Fire is located about three miles northeast of the community of Sequoia Crest which is near Camp Nelson. The fire has grown to an estimated 650 acres, and the cause is under investigation.
The fire is burning east of the junction of Mountaineer and Jacobson Creeks, east of Jacobson Meadow. A burn scar from the 2014 Soda Fire is located south, and a burn scar from the 2015 Cabin Fire is located north of the Jacobson Fire. These burn scars, current weather conditions, and past fire suppression activities in the wilderness will help to confine and contain the Jacobson Fire.
Fire managers are evaluating the best fire suppression management tactics while ensuring firefighter and public safety. Crews plan to use Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST), using old burn areas, rock outcroppings, existing trails, and open areas of sparse fuels to confine and contain the Jacobson Fire.
Trail closures in the immediate area of the Jacobson Fire are pending. Backpackers who plan to obtain a wilderness permit for overnight stay in the Golden Trout Wilderness north of Summit Trailhead should contact the Western Divide Ranger District 559-539-2607 (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) for assistance.
Nearby communities should expect to smell smoke from the Fire. Smoke from wildfires can pose health concerns for the public. Visit the “Protect Yourself from Smoke” website for helpful information www.cdc.gov/Features/Wildfires/. For current air quality information, visit the website for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District www.valleyair.org
Current information can be found on Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5073/