Inyo National Forest

News Release

US Forest Service

Inyo National Forest

Contacts: Nancy Upham, 760-873-2427

Printable version | Photos

Bishop, August 9, 2008....

Location:  Mammoth Lakes, California - 2 miles southeast of town

Acres Burned: 347

Containment: 100%

Fire Started: August 3, 2008 @ 11:45 a.m.

Cause: Under Investigation

Structures Threatened:0

Structures Destroyed: 0

Injuries: 3

Total Personnel Assigned: 299

Summary

On Sunday August 3rd at approximately 11:45 a.m., the Sherwin Fire started in the Sherwin Lakes area two miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes.  The fire went from a smoke to over 300 acres in size in two days due to erratic winds.  Winds out of the west prevailed and the fire spread to the north and east of its origin, away from the town of Mammoth Lakes.  On Monday, August 4th, and incident management team (So Cal Team 1) arrived to assume management of the fire.  Several days of hard work by ground crews, air support, and the team combined with relatively calm winds over this period resulted in full fire containment on Friday, August 8th.

A small contingent of crews will remain in the area to continue the mop-up work.  The hazardous tree was successfully removed, evacuations have been lifted and most recreational facilities have been re-opened.

The fire remains under investigation but has been determined to be human caused.  If anyone was in the Sherwin Lakes area on Saturday, August 2nd or Sunday, August 3rd and has any information, you’re asked to call the U.S. Forest Service fire investigator Paul Meyers at (760) 924-5536.

Sherwin Creek Road and Sherwin Creek Campground are OPEN.  Fire areas South of Sherwin Creek Road will REMAIN CLOSED between the Motocross Road and approximately 1/4 mile west of Laurel Creek Truck Trail.   Wilderness trailheads at Sherwin Lakes and Valentine Lake REMAIN CLOSED.  No wilderness permits are being issued for these trailheads.  All other trailheads near the fire area have been opened.

SAFETY MESSAGE:
Crews continue to work in the Sherwin Fire area.  Please use caution when driving on Sherwin Creek road and watch out for firefighters working in the area.

Information is also available at www.inciweb.org reference Sherwin Fire.