The Coffee Pot Fire, which ignited on Aug. 3 following a lightning strike, has expanded to 1,305 acres as of Tuesday, according to CalFire. Containment remains at 0%.

Currently, 423 personnel are battling the blaze, supported by seven helicopters, seven dozers, and 11 hand crews.

The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy as it continues to burn in steep, rugged terrain. Dry and highly flammable conditions are making firefighting efforts more challenging.

This helicopter is scooping water out of the Kaweah River inside Sequoia National Park to fight the Coffee Pot Fire.

The river is right next to the General’s Highway, as you can see, but it’s quite far down.

Watch for the bucket to appear. Precision flying. pic.twitter.com/gUTUrk59ye

— Beth Bridges Brandle (@BethBridges) August 15, 2024

The Situation as of Tuesday

Fire activity intensified Monday as flames continued to advance through dense brush and ground fuels, causing downhill rollouts and short uphill runs, according to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The fire’s south flank has reached Surprise Grove and is burning through the giant sequoias. On the west side, flames are approaching the Coffee Pot Unit, another grove of iconic sequoias. Resource advisors remain onsite to support efforts to protect these vital groves.

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The priority as of Tuesday is to build containment lines along the fire’s west and south flanks. Crews, assisted by heavy equipment, are constructing an indirect fireline from South Fork Drive, moving north along Soda Creek Road toward Cinnamon Gap. Firefighters will also continue constructing an indirect handline from the Lady Bug Trail near the South Fork Campground toward Homers Nose. Water-dropping aircraft, known as “scoopers,” will be deployed and may be seen near Lake Kaweah and Lake Success.

Evacuation Warnings

An Evacuation Warning been issued for TLC Zones TLC-E128-B and TLC-E094-B, covering the area north of South Fork Drive, east of Skyline Drive, south of Mineral King Road, and west of the national park boundary. Residents should prepare to evacuate if the fire threatens their homes or if instructed to do so, authorities said. Stay clear of affected areas, and call 911 in emergencies.

For more information, contact the Fire Information line at (559) 492-9988 and frequently check this Facebook page for updates.

Weather, Smoke, and Closures

Temperatures today are expected to mirror those of Monday, with low humidity and poor overnight moisture recovery forecasted for the next 48 hours. Dry conditions will persist through Thursday, with no rain expected.

Air quality near Three Rivers is projected to range from moderate to poor. Residents sensitive to air quality should limit outdoor activities. For current wildfire smoke impacts, visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

Highway 198 and the Generals Highway in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks remain open. Mineral King Road is also open. Park Superintendent Clay Jordan urges visitors to drive cautiously to protect firefighters working in the area.

Due to the proximity of the Coffee Pot Fire, South Fork Road in Sequoia National Park, along with trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed until further notice. For detailed closure information, visit the National Park Service website. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area.

Sadly, I also spotted a wildfire from above. I believe this is the “Coffee Pot Fire” southwest of Sequoia National Park. 452 acres have burned so far, Per @CAL_FIRE. pic.twitter.com/CXmPZgCt65

— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) August 17, 2024