Firefighters working to contain the massive Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest made progress overnight, taking advantage of higher humidity and calmer winds to hold the blaze south of Snow Corral Road and strengthen containment lines, officials said Wednesday.

The fire has burned 56,795 acres and is 15% contained since it began Aug. 24, according to the latest update from the U.S. Forest Service.

Evacuation Orders, Warnings

Officials has issued evacuation orders for zones K27, K28, K29, K30, K31, K32A, K40, K61A and K166 due to the Garnet Fire, warning residents of an immediate threat to life and ordering them to leave now.

Evacuation warnings are in place for zones K26, K32B, K41, K60, K61B, K74, K76, K85, K160 and K165, urging those needing extra time or with pets and livestock to evacuate.

Crews cleared fallen trees, contained spot fires, and prepared for active fire behavior expected later Wednesday as inversion layers lift, potentially pushing flames north toward McKinley Grove Road.

The blaze continues to burn through areas with heavy dead and downed trees left from the 2012 bark beetle epidemic and 2015 Rough Fire, fueling intense fire activity.

Crews are prioritizing work along Snow Corral and McKinley Grove roads, while also securing lines in the northwest and preparing contingency lines to the north and west.

Residents can check an interactive map provided by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information.

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