The U.S. Forest Service said Sunday morning that the Garnet Fire burning in mountainous eastern Fresno County is 69% contained.

That is a big gain from Friday afternoon’s 37%.

In addition, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuation warnings previously placed on Zones K32B, K74, K85, and K160. The sheriff’s office reduced evacuation orders for Zones K28 and K32A to evacuation warnings.

These zones encompass the far eastern side of the fire, as well as the southern portion, which is to the north of Highway 180.

However, Zones K27, K29, K30, K31, K40, K61A, and K166 remain under an evacuation order. Additionally, Zones K26, K41, K60, K61B, K76, and K165 remain under an evacuation warning.

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Wildfire Details

The Garnet Fire, which was caused by a lightning strike at about 1 a.m. on Aug. 24, has burned 58,905 acres.

The suppression effort is being wage by a massive response of firefighters and equipment from throughout California and the western United States. Through Sunday morning, nearly 3,100 personnel were assigned to the blaze, incident command stated.

“Point protection will continue for the McKinley Grove of Giant Sequoias. Crews will also continue to maintain safe travel routes for twice-daily fuel convoys to the Wishon hydroelectric station,” incident command said in a Sunday morning report.

Over the next two days, the wildfire is expected to spread to the north. Topography will remain the primary driver of growth, and active runs are likely where slope and wind align, wildfire managers said.