Despite a day of intense smoke and “dynamic and aggressive fire activity” in the Sierra National Forest, firefighters have continued to maintain their main lines against the garnet fire, which has now burned 46,619 acre and is contained in 14%.
The fire burned 10,000 acres more on Sunday, according to the United States forest service, with a large part of that growth of fire exploiting drastically in the Northwest Front and feeding giant smoke columns that can be seen by miles.
Evacuation orders were issued to three more areas in Fresno County on Sunday afternoon, including the Dinkey Creek camp area and communities along the western edge of fire and north of Lake Pine Pine Flat.
Fire officials, in an informative session on Sunday, explained that the fire had crossed Dinkey Creek and was quickly driven up due to the steep topography and climate changes. The Firefighters had anticipated that the fire would eventually move in this direction and reiterated that the main body of the fire remained within the primary containment lines and that things were still as planned.
“It goes directly towards the primary line, that has been the plan for a long time. It certainly goes there at a faster rate than in recent days, but even that is not unexpected,” said the Supervisor of the Dean Gould forest in the informative session.
“We have many positive trends with this incident, despite looking out the window and seeing that great column [of smoke] Today, “Gould added.” Our main line looks very good: it is being strengthened, literally per hour, and we have additional resources that come from our partners to solidify it more. “
The teams have also continued working in northern containment lines along McKinley Grove Road, where the fire has reached three miles from a precious forest of approximately 200 giant drought. Hundreds of firefighters have been fighting the fire there, and some placed sprinkle lines to shoot water on the old imposing trees.
The teams will work during the night to reinforce the lines and reinforce fire departures, authorities said, and a new firefighter rotation will enter in the morning to relieve those who have been on the front line since the fire broke out two weeks ago, on August 24.
Dan Patterson, a fire behavior analyst at the United States forest service, said there would be long days ahead, but the weather seemed promising.
“The forecast for the next five days is showing a rather stable climatic pattern, actually a little fresher and more humid,” he said, “which is favorable for firefighters.”
