Incident Update 2024 SQF Lightning Complex

Situation Summary

Total Acres – 32,801 acres

Trout Fire: 23,597 acres - 70% contained 

Long Fire: 9,204 acres - 98% contained

Total Personnel: 171

For more information on the SQF Lightning Fires, visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

Trout Fire: Crews will continue to hold and mop-up along Sherman Pass Rd. Transition to damage assessment and suppression repair continues with a group being established to focus on these efforts where needed across both fires. Excess hose and equipment are being inventoried and backhauled. All crews have been extracted in steep country where there will be continued monitoring by air. The fire is burning in sparse fuels under timber understory. With the forecasted weather the fire will struggle to reach the indirect line for the next several days. Fire activity is expected to increase in the afternoon as relative humidity (RH) drops and the sun heats fuels. With west winds, spotting will be less of an issue.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 98 percent. The Long fire is being monitored by air. Suppression repair work continues, particularly in the Kennedy Meadows area. Grading operations are completed on Canebrake Rd. Fire suppression equipment is in the process of being inventoried and removed.

Weather & Air Quality

A series of troughs moving through the region will lead to increasing winds through the middle of next week. Temperatures will continue to trend down through the period, with steady but low humidities. Max temperatures of 72-82 degrees are expected today with a minimum relative humidity (RH) of 17-27%. West wind speeds of 13-18 mph with gusts of 27 mph are expected after 3pm. On ridges/exposed areas wind speeds of 15-20 mph with gusts of 32 mph are expected. Tonight, minimum temps across the fire will range from 47-61 degrees with RH recoveries between 35-65 percent.

Sequoia National Forest & BLM Closures & Restrictions

Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout and Long Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-13. All orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest's website. The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is closed between Hwy 178 at Walker Pass (mile 653) and the South Fork of the Kern River bridge (mile 717.7).
 

Evacuation Center

The Tehachapi Education Center (126 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi) has been placed in a standby status, due to no residents currently utilizing the service. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. 

Large-Animal Assistance

The rodeo grounds in Kernville (467 Scodie Ave., Kernville) is available for residents who need to move large animals or livestock. For more information, contact Orion, Kernville Chamber of Commerce, 661- 340-0026.

Road Closures

 The Trout Fire Closure Area boundary begins at the intersection of the Sequoia National Forest Boundary and Sierra Way (Mtn 99) in Section 14, Township 25 South, Range 33 East, Mount Diablo Base & Meridian, then continues approximately 76.5 miles south, east, north, and west along the Forest Boundary to its intersection with the North Fork of the Kern River in Section 1, T. 20 S., R. 34 E., MDB&M, then continues along Mtn 99 approximately 20.3 miles to the starting point. Visit the Forest Service Forest Orders and Forest Regulations website for more info on closures in the Sequoia National Forest.(tinyurl.com/4zrmvnzy)

Evacuation Information:

Evacuations

Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in.

• Tulare County has evacuation warnings and advisories in effect due to the Trout and Long Fires. The following zones are under an evacuation advisory: TLC-E250, TLC-E261-A, TLC-E261-B, TLC-E274-A, TLC-E274-B, and TLC-E297-A.

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Total Personnel

171