As of Wednesday morning, the Coffee Pot Fire has expanded to 1,653 acres, according to CalFire.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park officials report that the fire is advancing by about two-tenths of a mile daily.

Efforts are concentrated on the western flank, where firefighters are working to build an indirect control line extending north from South Fork Drive to Salt Creek Road, with plans to connect it through Cinnamon Gap to Mineral King Road. On the southeast flank, crews are preparing and constructing handlines near Cedar Creek and Lady Bug Trail.

The firefighting effort includes seven helicopters, 10 bulldozers, 15 hand crews, and a total of 519 personnel.

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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

Cooler conditions are expected on Wednesday as a cold front moves through, bringing higher humidity and improved overnight recovery heading into the weekend. Cloud cover will increase by Friday, but dry weather is anticipated over the fire area.

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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.

The portion of South Fork Road in Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed until further notice due to the proximity of the Coffee Pot Fire. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area.