Inyo National Forest

News Release

US Forest Service

Inyo National Forest

Contacts: Nancy Upham, 760-873-2427

Printable version

Clover Fire Update 7/5/08

Fire Information:  www.inciweb.org or 760-376-3781 Ext. 699
cloverwfu@gmail.com 

Sequoia National Forest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/news/

Today's Weather:
Temperature: 73 to 79° F
Winds:  Southwest to West, 3 to 4 mph, increasing to 6 to 10 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 25 mph.
Relative Humidity: 8 to 14%.

Fire Restrictions: On Thursday the Inyo National Forest joined the Sequoia National Forest and Bureau of Land Management-Bakersfield Field Office by implementing fire restrictions due to the HIGH FIRE DANGER! Campfires, portable gas stoves or barbecues are only allowed in campgrounds, developed recreation areas or fire exempt areas. 

Clover Fire Activity
Location: Sequoia and Inyo National Forests in the South Sierra Wilderness, north of Kennedy Meadows and south of Beck Meadow, California.

15,262 acres – 70% contained; Expect full containment on Tuesday, July 15th.

New Status:  Yesterday all control lines on the Clover Fire held.  Winds, gusting to near 40 miles per hour on the ridgetops, combined with an extremely dry air mass that bottomed out at 2% relative humidity at one remote weather station provided a stern test for firefighters on July 4th.  At days end aerial reconnaissance showed the fire well with the lines and the few hotspots safely within the burned interior.  “This fire behaved very well today”, said Operations Chief Walt Tomascak.  Winds are forecast to be milder today, but with gusts up to 25 miles per hour crews will have to be aware of hotspots as they continue their work of cold-trailing and strengthening existing fire lines. 

Command of the fire is now under a Northern Rockies Incident Management Team led by Incident Commanders Diane Hutton and Wayne Cook after a smooth transition from Johnson’s Team on Friday.  The new team is grateful to community for it’s warm welcome.

Committed Resources:

•  3 helicopters
• 148 total personnel

KENNEDY MEADOW CAMPGROUND and the fire safe areas are now open to the public.  The temporary fire area closure remains in effect. Do not enter the hazardous Clover Fire perimeter!

Pacific Crest Trail Information
A temporary fire area closure has been issued through July 8, 2008, to maximize fire suppression efforts and to provide for public health and safety.  The closure affects portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).  Kennedy Meadow Campground is within this closure area.  Alternate hiking routes around the fire are available to connect to the PCT from Kennedy Meadows to Monache Meadow which includes Jackass Trail (35E13), Albanita Trail (35E06), Jackass Peak (35E03), Snake Creek Trail to Monache Jeep Trail (34E38).  Trails will be signed "PCT Detour".  A trail guard remains on duty at Kennedy Meadows

Please contact the Kernville Ranger Station at (760) 376-3781 or visit the Forest website at:  www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia for more specific information on the closure.

Camping Restrictions Lifted: Camping restrictions have been lifted for KENNEDY MEADOW CAMPGROUND and the fire safe areas are now open to the public.  The temporary fire area closure remains in effect. 

Important Internet Links
View South Sierra fire areas by Webcam  http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/swfrs/Pages/WebCam.html

Real Time Smoke Monitoring