Let It Burn Fire Updates
The Twitchell Canyon Let It Burn Fire [here, here, here, here] is now over 33,000 acres [38,644 acres as of 9/22]. Interstate 70 is open intermittantly. The power corridor that parallels the Interstate remains threatened and the power is off. Over 500 firefighters are battling the fire, which is reportedly 15% contained. Great Basin IMT2 (Whalen) has taken over fire management from Great Basin IMT2 (Ourada). Ten $million have been spent on “suppression” and “monitoring” to-date.
The Twitchell Canyon Fire has been burning since July 20th (two months ago). The stated purpose of allowing the fire to burn was “to manage the fire for a scenic vegetation mosaic effect”. High elevation mixed conifer forests and brush have been consumed. Extremely high fire intensities have been observed, with flame lengths over 200 feet.
The Sheep Let It Burn Fire [here, here] is now over 7,500 acres (3,078 acs Kings Canyon NP - 4,484 acs Sequoia NF). The fire crossed Lightning Creek on 9/13/10, and is showing approximately 150 to 400 acres of growth per day. Burnouts are underway on the south side of the fire.
The Sheep Fire has been burning since July 17th (over two months ago). The stated purpose of allowing the fire to burn was to achieve “ecological benefits of fire in the Sierra Nevada”. $1.2 million has been spent “monitoring” the fire which began in Kings Canyon National Park but spread to the Sequoia National Forest. Trails are closed. Air pollution has been extensive. Heritage giant sequoia groves are threatened.
Neither of these fires had any sort of NEPA process. No Environmental Impact Statements were prepared. No public review or collaboration was performed. Etc.
by John M.
I am a land owner who has lost all my trees and sage brush to the Twitchell Canyon Fire. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate the updates your website has posted on the fire. Thanks
This warning has been posted for at least a week. The two agencies involved seem oblivious to the problems they are causing valley residents with their fire.
THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICTS HAS ISSUED
AN AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO SMOKE IMPACTS FROM THE SHEEP FIRE IN
FRESNO COUNTY.
THE AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 22.
WINDS ARE TRANSPORTING SMOKE FROM THIS FIRE INTO THE FOOTHILL AND
MOUNTAIN AREAS OF FRESNO AND TULARE COUNTIES. LOCALIZED AIR
QUALITY COULD FLUCTUATE DEPENDING ON SMOKE IMPACTS.
PARTICULATE MATTER FROM THIS FIRE…IS PRODUCING UNHEALTHY AIR
QUALITY IN THE FOOTHILL AND MOUNTAIN AREAS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN
VALLEY AIR BASIN.
EXPOSURE TO PARTICLE POLLUTION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH
PROBLEMS…AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASE…CAUSE ASTHMA ATTACKS AND
ACUTE BRONCHITIS…AND INCREASE RISK OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.
RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION AS CONDITIONS WARRANT.
PEOPLE WITH HEART OR LUNG DISEASES SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR DOCTORS
ADVICE FOR DEALING WITH EPISODES OF UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY.
ADDITIONALLY…OLDER ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD AVOID PROLONGED
EXPOSURE…STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES OR HEAVY EXERTION…AS CONDITIONS
DICTATE.