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The French Fire, started on Wednesday, August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, has now burned 25,264 acres with 26 percent containment. The fire is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 12, coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest, and Kern County Fire Department in Unified Command.
• Yesterday the fire was very active and spotting around Evans Flat area. The firefighters successfully held the fire along the Basket Pass Road. Direct handline was completed from Rancheria Road to Basket Pass Road. Heavy equipment is also working on contingency lines. For Monday, active fire behavior is likely in this area due to the challenging terrain and predicted winds.
• On the north side of the fire there was very little growth yesterday. Firefighters with support from aircraft have been working to put out spot fires and have tied handline and dozer line into the rocks at Black Mountain. Structure defense remains for resources in the immediate area, including the Shirley Peak communication hub and the Southern California Edison 66kV sub-transmission lines north of State Route 155.
• Along the northwest side, spot fires from the previous days grew together, putting up a lot of smoke. Mop up and scouting for direct and indirect line is occurring today. The fire continues to back slowly into Alder Creek, Cedar Creek against the wind and the indirect dozer line is progressing well in this area. Crews are scouting for opportunities to go direct.
• The east side of the fire remained quiet throughout the day and crews made good progress mopping up. This has allowed for some containment to be made around Alta Sierra. Residents will see smoke in the fire’s interior as crews mop up and monitor the fire activity. Please be cautious of surrounding activities and potential hazards in and around the fire area; fire resources will be active in the area.
• Monday will be hot and dry, with temperatures in the upper 90s and humidity in the teens. Winds will be light and out of the west this morning, switching to the northwest this afternoon and strengthening. Ridge-top gusts will be 18-24 mph. Gusty down-canyon winds may develop on the east side of the fire. Slightly higher humidity may arrive mid-week.
Fire Closures:
The BLM has temporarily closed the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area to all public access due to wildland fire danger.
Sequoia National Forest Fire Area Closure Orders:
Forest Order 0513-21-25 French Fire area Roads and Trails Closure and Map and Forest Order 0513-21-26 Upper Kern Area and Trails Closure and Map. To protect visitors, mountain communities, staff and firefighters, Forest Orders 0513-21-25/26 were issued, Saturday, August 21 and Friday, August 27. Please view the full orders with exhibits and maps for more information.
