Update: Tehipite Wildland Fire growing

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Wildland Fire Update
For Immediate Release – August 13, 2008
Deb Schweizer (559) 565-3703
Alex Olow (559) 565-4287

Firefighters Revise Strategy for Tehipite Fire after Southwest Flank Compromised

The Tehipite Fire, a lightning-ignited fire in the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park, has grown beyond the fireline on its southwest flank. It is currently 410 acres.
The fire spread from either rollouts — burning material that rolls down the steep terrain and ignites fire outside on the fireline— or from a spot fire created from embers blown across the line.

Firefighters initially tried to hold the fire to limit its growth for a variety of reasons including air quality concerns. However, control objectives have been hampered by steep, inaccessible terrain that presents safety concerns for firefighters. Direct fire response is unsafe along much of the perimeter.

Firefighters are revising the strategy for the management of this fire to address safety and cost concerns. The fire is being monitored by helicopter at this time. Fire managers are coordinating with the Sierra National Forest as there is potential for the fire to cross the park boundary. There are no immediate threats to life or property.

The Tehipite Fire is located approximately one-half mile west of Tehipite Valley and Crown Creek and one mile east of Tombstone Ridge in Kings Canyon National Park. It is burning in mixed conifer and live oak between 5,400 - 7,400 feet in elevation in steep bluffs and cliffs. The trail between Tehipite Valley and the park boundary remains closed.

The Avalanche Fire has been detected three-quarters of a mile east of Palmer Mountain in Kings Canyon National Park. It is one-quarter of an acre in size and burning in red fir at approximately 9,850 feet in elevation. Because of its remote, wilderness location, this fire will be monitored. It has a moderate potential for growth.

Fire shapes the beauty of the Sierra Nevada wilderness just like rain or snow. Prior to suppression policies, fires ignited in the summer months by lightning storms would burn throughout the late summer and fall in the Sierra Nevada. These fires would slowly smolder with the cooler and shorter days and eventually be extinguished by rain or snow.

Source: www.nps.gov/seki/fire/fireinfo/current.htm --