The Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest grew to 49,109 acres Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, prompting new evacuation orders as containment held at 14%. (U.S. Forest Service)
- The Garnet Fire grew to 49,109 acres Monday with 14% containment, fueled by low humidity and heavy timber.
- Fresno County expanded evacuation orders, adding Zones K61A and K166, while several other zones remain under warnings.
- Fire crews built containment lines near Tollhouse, Shaver Lake, and Bear Mountain as aerial tankers dropped retardant to slow spread.
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Update at 10:51 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced new evacuation warnings for the Garnet Fire, adding Zones K26, K60, K61B, K76 and K165 along the western edge of the blaze north of Pine Flat Lake and southeast and east of Shaver Lake.
Original Story
The Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest expanded overnight, advancing to 49,109 acres as crews worked to slow its northern and northwestern push, officials said Monday.
The lightning-sparked blaze, which began Aug. 24, remains 14% contained with 2,226 personnel assigned, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Evacuation Orders Grow as Fire Spreads
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said that Zones K61A and K166 moved from an evacuation warning to an evacuation order.
Zones K27, K28, K29, K30, K31, K32A and K40 remain under an evacuation order. Evacuation warning zones are K32B, K41, K74, K85 and K160.
Fire activity was driven overnight by low humidity, heavy timber stands with beetle-kill debris, and alignment up drainages. Multiple spot fires were reported across McKinley Grove Road, and flames burned to the containment lines between Fence Meadow and Nutmeg Saddle.
Officials said increased fire activity is expected midday as the inversion lifts.
For two weeks, crews have focused on building containment lines east of Tollhouse and Shaver Lake. Overnight, firefighters carried out strategic firing along dozer contingency lines in Bear Mountain to protect Dinkey Meadow, Bear Meadow, and Lost Meadow.
Hose lines were extended from Fence Meadow Lookout south toward Sycamore Ridge Road.
With the fire pushing north, resources have been shifted to reinforce contingency lines and corral spot fires north of McKinley Grove Road. Crews are also preparing Snow Corral Road as a containment line with hand and machine work.
On the eastern edge, firefighters are directly constructing lines where conditions allow, and they are preparing for strategic firing.
Aerial support, including heavy helicopters and very large air tankers, is assisting with retardant drops to slow the fire’s spread.
Management of the incident transitioned Monday from California Incident Management Team 10 to California Incident Management Team 5.
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