Photo: USDA - Forest Service Tanker 40 at Fresno Air Attack Base. The Fresno County Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest has burned 18,748 acres and is 8% contained as crews make progress on containment lines while bracing for possible thunderstorms early this week. (Sam Wu/USFS)
- The Garnet Fire in Fresno County has burned 18,748 acres with 8% containment, prompting ongoing evacuation orders and warnings.
- Fire crews report progress on western and southern edges, using dozer lines, hotshot crews, and heavy equipment to slow spread.
- Officials warn of erratic winds and thunderstorms this week that could challenge containment, while aircraft and ground crews remain actively engaged.
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A lightning-sparked wildfire, the Garnet Fire, in the Sierra National Forest has burned 18,748 acres in Fresno County and remains at 8% containment as of Sunday morning, U.S. Forest Service officials said.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for zones K27, K30, K31, K32-A, and K40, while warnings are in place for K28, K29, K32-B, K74, K85, and K160.
The fire, which started Aug. 24, is being fought by 1,444 personnel.
Update on the Garnet Fire
Crews reported good progress on the western edge of the Garnet Fire near the confluence of the Kings River and the North Fork of the Kings River up into Balch Camp, where they are close to securing containment lines.
North of Balch Camp, firefighters are working east of the Dinkey Creek drainage to halt the fire’s advance while also building contingency lines. Rough terrain has made constructing lines on the northern edge difficult, though favorable conditions and air support slowed fire growth and allowed crews to complete work south of Patterson Mountain.
The fire has also moved slowly into the Teakettle Experimental Forest, where structures have been prepared in case defensive measures are needed.
Overnight, flames burned actively near Weisman Spring, where poor moisture recovery aided spread.
The fire is holding on dozer lines reopened from the 2015 Rough Fire, but officials warned of difficult conditions Sunday with winds expected to align with drainages.
Multiple hotshot crews, engines and heavy equipment are working from spike camps near the area to keep the blaze in check.
Lines above the Kings River continued to hold, though fire managers are keeping crews engaged there ahead of possible thunderstorms forecast for early this week.
Heavy aircraft use is planned Sunday, with priority on the eastern side of the fire, as hot, dry conditions persist and smoke impacts increase in lower elevations.
Concerns are mounting for this upcoming week when thunderstorms could bring erratic winds that may challenge containment efforts, officials said.
U.S. Forest Service Update on Garnet Fire on Sunday
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