Coffee Pot Fire: 0% contained but almost halfway ‘corralled’

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – As the Coffee Pot Fire continues to grow, crews are moving extracurricular the container and according to Cal Fire, are making important advancement utilizing an indirect strategy.

Per the California Interagency Incident Management Team (CIIMT), the Coffee Pot Fire was 2,683 acres and 0% contained arsenic of Friday afternoon.

Fire officials accidental the containment level whitethorn beryllium misleading considering that crews person corralled the occurrence done indirect power lines on the confederate and occidental flanks of the fire. Indirect power lines are containment lines that are constructed from a greater region away. CIIMT says they are utilizing this strategy due to the fact that it is excessively unsafe to straight insert firefighters fixed the rugged terrain.

Black crossing lines signify established indirect power lines; pinkish scratches signify established projected power lines

Per officials, South Fork Drive Road volition relation arsenic the containment enactment on the confederate perimeter, with the southbound fork of the Kaweah River providing h2o sources. Indirect power lines person besides been mostly established on the occidental flank of the fire. The eastbound fork of the Kaweah River volition service arsenic containment to the north. Three wildland modules volition beryllium flying to Cahoon Meadow connected Friday to physique containment lines on the eastbound flank.

Officials accidental portion they apt volition not beryllium capable to forestall the occurrence from spreading into the sequoia groves to the north, crews are moving to trim the substance load astir the trees, which whitethorn really beryllium beneficial to the trees.

The lone different grove presently nether menace is Eden Grove which is situated northeast of the fire. Officials accidental owed to the absorption and velocity of the fire, this grove was nether important threat; however, helitack crews were capable to behaviour a integrative spear dispenser (PSD) cognition to forestall the occurrence from moving into the grove. A PSD cognition consists of throwing tiny ping-pong balls that drawback occurrence arsenic they autumn from a chopper with the intent of creating a controlled burn.

Closures:

According to Cal Fire, the information of South Fork Drive successful Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails are closed. Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area is besides closed.

Evacuation warnings:

Zones TLC-E128-B and TLC-E094-B, the country northbound of South Fork Drive, East of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek Fire Control Road), South of Mineral King Road, and West of the National Park Boundary are nether evacuation warnings.