Published July 3, 2024, Wednesday, 2115 hours PDT

The BASIN FIRE broke out on June 26, 2024, at 1029 hours PDT, located north of Green Cabin Flat Campground and East of Pine Flat Reservoir, 46 miles East of Sanger in Fresno County, California.

The Lead Fire Agency is Sierra National Forest.

The cause is unknown at the time of this post.

The fire has burned about 13,819 acres of tall grass, brush, and hardwood oak litter, which crews have reached a 26% containment status.

There are about 1,118 total personnel with 22 crews, 65 engines, and nine (9) helicopters under the Incident Management of a CA IMT Team 11 which assumed the management of the incident on June 28, 2024, at 0700 hours PT.

Fire operations:

Containment was gained along the Kings River corridor. It is expected that today, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will be joining in unified command with the Sierra National Forest.

• Eastern perimeter:  Crews continue to improve contingency lines.  These crews are staying in a spike camp to access this area.

• Southern perimeter:  The containment line has been secured along much of the South Fork of the Kings River and the area is being monitored.

• Western perimeter:  Crews have boxed in the fire with a combination of dozer line and retardant. This has improved road access to the fire for engines and fire personnel. 

•  Northern perimeter:  Forward spread has been stopped with retardant drops on the west side of Dinkey Creek, but this area does not have a fireline and is difficult to access.  Firefighters are continuing to evaluate how to safely get crews into the area.  A contingency line is being built with dozers several miles north of this area to stop the fire if it crosses Dinkey Creek.

Photo Courtesy: PG&E

The Excessive Heat Warning over the next 7 days will affect the fire with hotter temperatures and drier vegetation. Temperatures within the 90s and low 100s are expected across the fire on Wednesday, with minimum humidity of 20-28%. Low winds are expected with gusts up to 15mph.  Three spike camps have been set up closer to the fire perimeter, allowing crews to overnight near the fire, and reducing travel time so crews can work more on the fire line.

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog