Basin Fire in Fresno County grows to over 10,000 acres with no containment, rangers say
The Basin Fire in Sierra National Forest, started by lightning this past week, has grown to more than 10,000 acres.
As of Sunday, there was still no containment, according to the latest update. The blaze has grown to 11,047 acres.
Rangers, meanwhile, enacted temporary fire restrictions starting Sunday prohibiting campfires, welding, or smoking on all public lands managed by the Forest in non-developed campsites. Officials said campfires will only be allowed in developed campgrounds or picnic areas managed by the Forest Service or concessionaire, Vista Recreation.
“We have met the conditions on the Forest that warrant implementing this measure to reduce the risks of additional wildfires,” Forest Supervisor Dean Gould said.
“Additionally, a heavy and volatile fuel load remains across much of the forest floor.”
The fire is burning primarily in dry, dense grass within the Rough Fire scar from 2015, rangers said.
The fire is burning at 2000-4500 foot elevation, northeast of Pine Flat Lake, west of the Spanish Mountain, south of Black Rock Road and north of the South Fork of the Kings River.
Fresno June Lightning Complex
In an update Sunday night, the containment was closer on Sunday with the three large fires at 61% containment in eastern Fresno County.
Cal Fire said there was minimal fire activity throughout Saturday and fire crews continued to strengthen containment lines and work on extinguishing hot spots.
The three large fires consist of:
Flash/Bolt Fire: Palomino & Elwood Road in Wonder Valley area, 10,375 acres, 60% contained.
Hog Fire: Watts Valley & Hog Mt. Rd, 293 acres, 98% contained.
Strike Fire: 1 acre, 100% contained.
Evacuation warnings have been lifted, Cal Fire said.
“Public safety crews will have a strong presence in the fire area for the next several days to ensure the protection of our residents and their property. Be aware there may be traffic flow interruptions due to fire crews and utility workers still operating in the area,” Cal Fire wrote in an update.
