Creek Fire update, Oct. 17: Blaze grows to 346,477 acres; Lake Edison car retrieval set
The Creek Fire, which has destroyed 856 structures and burned thousands of trees in the Sierra and Inyo national forests, remained 60% contained Saturday night across a burn zone totaling 346,477 acres, according to Cal Fire.
Sierra National Forest remains closed until at least Nov. 1.
President Donald Trump, reversing an earlier decision from federal officials, released millions of dollars in relief for fire-ravaged California to help battle statewide blazes, including the Creek Fire and the SQF Fire in Tulare County.
The SQF fire, three miles east of Giant Sequoia National Monument, has burned more than 168,095 acres and is 72% contained after destroying 228 structures.
Air quality continues to be degraded by the statewide blazes and was listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups in Fresno, Madera, and Tulare Counties.
Saturday night Creek Fire update
Both the acreage and containment totals remained unchanged from Saturday morning’s briefing.
There have been 26 minor injuries involving firefighters since the blaze broke out in early September. Total personnel committed to the fire, the largest single wildfire in California history and fifth biggest when including multiple fires that merged into single complex blazes, stands at 952.
In the South Zone, Cal Fire reported, flames made very little progress thanks in part to natural granite features in the areas of Junction Bluffs, Cassidy Meadows and Pincushion Peak. A precautionary structure defense plan is in place for Lake Edison.
Visit the Sierra National Forest Facebook page for the full Saturday night report.
Vehicle retrieval at Florence, Edison lakes
There are still vehicles left behind when the fire broke out, with some collected Saturday from Florence Lake and more set to be retrieved Sunday at Lake Edison.
More information is available at the Fresno County Sheriff’s website at www.fresnosheriff.org.
Update on Dolan Fire
Along the Central Coast, firefighters are close to final containment on the Dolan Fire, which has raged near Big Sur for nearly two months.
A team of New York city firefighters, which is managing the blaze, said it expected 100% containment as early as today, as weather conditions improved. They warned poor humidity overnight would continue to expose hot spots, which are being monitored.
The blaze has charred 124,924 acres and destroyed 19 structures and a wildlife sanctuary for endangered California condors. It was allegedly started Aug. 17 by Ivan Geronimo Gomez, a 30-year-old Fresno man, who was arrested a day later. He remains in Monterey County Jail.
This story was originally published October 17, 2020 at 8:35 AM with the headline "Creek Fire update, Oct. 17: Blaze grows to 346,477 acres; Lake Edison car retrieval set."