The Coffee Pot Fire in Tulare County has grown to 5,683 acres with 0% containment, prompting an evacuation order for zone TLC-E128-B and ongoing firefighting efforts by more than 1,400 personnel. (Video Screenshot)
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The Coffee Pot Fire in Tulare County has expanded by 1,131 acres, bringing the total area burned to 5,683 acres with 0% containment, according to officials from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Currently, 1,429 personnel are engaged in battling the blaze, supported by 46 engines, 11 water tenders, 15 helicopters, 10 dozers, and 41 hand crews.
Related Story: Evacuation Order Announced for Residents Near Coffee Pot Fire
The Current Situation
On Wednesday, the fire advanced downslope toward the South Fork of the Kaweah River near the Scratch Creek junction. Hotshot crews began constructing direct control lines in the Scratch Creek area, incident managers said.
In the northeast, firefighters monitored a low-intensity fire in the Salt Creek Grove of giant sequoias, while crews to the north continued brushing along Mineral King Road.
Favorable conditions Wednesday night allowed crews to initiate strategic fire operations at the northeast corner near Case Mountain, with firing operations along Salt Creek Ridge moving west to secure the line.
On Thursday, firefighters are focusing their efforts along the South Fork of the Kaweah River near Scratch Creek, aiming to hold containment lines at Scratch Creek and South Fork Drive.
Related Story: New Evacuations Warnings Issued for Tulare County’s Growing Coffee Pot ...
Strategic firing operations will continue in the northeast, bringing fire down Salt Creek Ridge.
Additionally, an aerial fire operation is planned for the southwest flank near Bennet Creek to slow the fire’s downslope spread. Crews are also closely monitoring fire activity in the Salt Creek and Lady Bug Groves of giant sequoias.
Evacuation Orders and Warnings
An Evacuation Order was issued on Wednesday for zone TLC-E128-B. The affected area includes the region north of South Fork Drive, east of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek fire control road), south of Skyline Drive (south of Case Mountain and Homers Nose), and west of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park boundary.
An Evacuation Warning remains in place for zones TLC-E128-A, TLC-E127-B, and TLC-E094-B. Residents in these areas are advised to stay prepared for potential evacuation. For the latest updates on evacuation orders and warnings, visit: protect.genasys.com.
Related Story: More Than 1,000 Personnel Now Battling Tulare County’s Coffee Pot Fire