Update: 2:44 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14
Tulare County also issued a Voluntary Evacuation Warning for the remainder of Three Rivers Area at 1:15 p.m. because of the growth of the Sequoia Complex Fire.
An Evacuation Warning, also known as a voluntary evacuation, means that you should prepare now to evacuate, Tulare County officials said on a Facebook post. Those who require extra time to evacuate should consider leaving at this time.
With the Sequoia Complex Fire at 90,845 acres and 12% contained, the Generals Highway from Highway 198 in Three Rivers to the Giant Forest Museum was closed at 6 a.m. Monday.
Sequoia National Park officials said that stretch of road will be closed for the duration of fire activity in the region.
However, visitors will be able to enter the park through the Big Stump entrance station on Highway 180 from Fresno.
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“Our number one priority is public and employee safety. It is crucial to take care of our staff and our gateway community of Three Rivers,” said Lee Taylor, acting superintendent of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. “With this partial park closure, it is our intention to reduce possible evacuation complexity of the Three Rivers community by reducing the amount of visitors in the area.”
The Potwisha Campground will also be closed and all reservations will be canceled and refunded, park officials said.
Giant Forest, including the General Sherman Tree, will remain open, but Crescent Meadow Road, which includes Tunnel Log, Tharp’s Log and Moro Rock, is closed — as is Mineral King Road.
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Sequoia Complex Fire Evacuations Total 3,483
The Sequoia Complex Fire is made up of the Castle and Shotgun fires. The lightning-caused fires were reported on Aug. 24.
Wildfire officials report 3,483 evacuations, 62 destroyed structures, and 1,683 structures threatened.
Resources dedicated to controlling the blazes: 764 personnel, 55 engines, 18 water tenders, 10 hand crews, eight helicopters, and seven dozers.
Evacuations and Closures
- Current Evacuation Orders and Warnings from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office may be found at https://www.facebook.com/TulareSheriff .
- Tulare County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications at alerttc.com
- The Red Cross has reopened an evacuation centeratPorterville Community College and opened an evacuation center at the North Exeter Community Building. For further evacuation assistance, call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or https://tinyurl.com/yafetgkj
- Park and Campgrounds closures: Potwisha Campground in Sequoia National Park; Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest; Tulare County’s Balch Park Campground; and all the campgrounds within the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests.
- All National Forests in California are closed as of Sept, 9.
- Current conditions in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: https://tinyurl.com/y3q9x5l8.
