January 27, 2014 ** Update **
The Soda Fire burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness in Sequoia National Forest continued its spread towards the west over the weekend and grew to 1132 acres. Fire behavior continues to be of low to moderate intensity and largely confined to surface and ground fuels. No tree torching has been observed.
Fire officials will continue to monitor the fire’s behavior and movement from a helicopter. With steep terrain no road access no structures with immediate threat from the fire and anticipated growth there is not a need to insert ground resources and risk injuries to firefighters at this time. Wet pockets of fuel on the ground will continue to smolder and emit smoke which will likely drift down into the canyons at night. Nearby communities should expect to smell smoke from the Soda Fire.
January 22, 2014 ** Update **
The spread of the Soda Fire burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness in Sequoia National Forest has slowed. A light cloud cover cooler temperatures patches of snow and areas with less vegetation has helped slow the spread of the fire over the last couple of days. The fire grew by 8 acres yesterday and is currently 676 acres. The fire has spread through ground and surface fuels and no tree torching has been observed.
Fire officials will continue to monitor the fire’s behavior and movement from a helicopter there is not a need to insert ground resources and risk injuries to firefighters. Wet fuel on the ground will continue to smolder and emit smoke which will likely drift down into the canyons at night. Nearby communities should expect to smell smoke from the Soda Fire but it should lighten now that the spread of the fire has slowed.
January 20, 2014 ** Update **
Fire Growth and Behavior
The Soda fire grew to 668 acres today. The fire’s growth was mostly on the west side of the fire. To the north the fire has reached a ridge and is slowly backing down the slope. The northeast corner of the fire is slowly growing. The southern edge of the fire has reached the snow banks along Clicks Creek. Observed fire behavior was 1-2 foot flame lengths. No tree torching was observed as the fire was contained to the ground cleaning up the forest floor at a slow to moderate rate of spread.
Fire Official Actions
Fire officials used a helicopter to monitor the fire’s behavior and movement. They were also able to map the fire’s perimeter. Currently there is not a need to insert ground resources and risk injuries to firefighters until the fire gets closer to the trails.
Winter road closures are still in place and the North Road remains closed to the public at the junction of Highway 190.
Tomorrow firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior by air. Fire officials will continue to monitor the fire’s spread to determine when it is necessary to insert ground personnel.
Smoke and Air Quality
Down canyon winds at night will likely continue to push the smoke down the drainage and into Kernville. As the day warms and the inversion breaks the smoke should lift out of the drainages and be pushed to the north.
January 19, 2014 ** Update **
Fire Growth and Behavior
The Soda fire grew to 587 acres today. The fire’s growth was to the west north and east. The fire is still north of Clicks Creek and the North Fork of Clicks Creek. Flame lengths were 1-2 feet and no tree torching was observed. The fire grew at a slow to moderate rate in the understory.
Fire Official Actions
Snow on the road to Lewis Camp was cleared today. The road is now drivable to Lewis Camp. The road will be used as a contingency for ingress/egress. The winter road closure is still in place and the road remains closed to the public. Currently there is not a need to insert ground resources and risk injuries to firefighters until the fire gets closer to the trails.
Tomorrow firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior by air. Fire officials will continue to monitor the fire’s spread to determine when it is necessary to insert ground personnel.
Smoke and Air Quality
Down canyon winds at night will likely continue to push the smoke down the drainage and into Kernville. As the day warms and the inversion breaks the smoke should lift out of the drainages and be pushed to the north.
2014 The NW Fire Blog
Photos Courtesy: Inciweb.org
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