1:30 p.m. PDT Oct. 5, 2021
On Monday the KNP Complex of fires in Sequoia National Park, pushed by 55 mph winds, crossed Generals Highway about a mile east of Wilsonia. The extreme fire behavior forced firefighters to temporarily move to safer locations. The additional growth resulted in the fire becoming well established in Redwood Creek and burning much of the Redwood Mountain Grove, which is the largest grove of giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) trees on earth. It contains the world’s tallest giant sequoia, 312 feet (95 meters). The amount of mortality of the sequoias is unknown at this point.
At least two very large pyrocumulus convection columns of smoke were seen Monday on the north side of the fire that rose to more than 32,000 feet, indicating extreme fire behavior.
This additional growth threatens Hartland, Quail Flat, Wilsonia, and Grant Grove. Firefighters are doing what they can to provide structure protection in these locations.
The KNP Complex has burned 79,382 acres. Resources assigned include 27 hand crews, 90 engines, 35 water tenders, 18 dozers, and 13 helicopters for a total of 1,566 personnel.
On the southern side of the fire Monday, firefighters worked along Mineral King Road to contain the spot fires from Sunday night. They also provided structure protection in Silver City and the Mineral King area. Helicopters were able to support ground resources with bucket drops on Monday after the smoke cleared enough to safely fly.
On Tuesday crews are working on control lines to keep the fire out of the communities near the Redwood Mountain Grove on the north side of the blaze.
I know that 99.9% of you all know this, but sequoias are not redwoods. Big, really BIG difference.
I grew up in redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We built our sleeping nests using fallen baby redwoods tied up in trees. As a teen I could walk around Big Basin State Park in the dark. Most of our family events were held at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. I am sure that every visiting relative from out of state got taken to Henry Cowell. One grandmother lived in redwoods at Mount Herman, the other lived up between the Redwood Highway and the Eel River.
When I was 12 my parents took us up to Calaveras Big Trees State Park where we went on an interpretive walk through the sequoias. We climbed way up on a stump that had been used as a huge dance floor. (my sister and I became environmentalists right then and there). The people that cut them down discovered that they did not make good lumber like the redwoods did, so they blew them up with dynamite to make grape stakes. It was all very different and amazing to a 12 year old girl who had grown up with redwoods.
Back then, I didn’t know how lucky I was. The burning of the redwoods and sequoias, as well as the burning of Paradise, (a Chico State Grad), makes it seem like all my childhood has gone up in smoke. And breaks my heart.
Ok, all you wild fire guys, you can go back to arguing.
…we’re heart broken at the news about Redwood Mountain Grove. The largest redwood grove in the world in a mostly natural state. At the south end of the Sugar Bowl trail, just before it drops into the canyon, is what we viewed as a Giant Cathedral of “Young Redwoods”; a meadow of forest ferns surrounded by towering Redwoods that seemed to have been strategically placed. Truly felt the presence of God in this natural “Cathedral”. If it is truly gone, it will take hundreds of years to recover.
To Thomas: That’s what we were recommending before these lands were taken out of the NF System and put into a Monument. If the “white woods” are not managed, the threat to the redwoods continues as the density of the non-redwood species increase.
I might add that this notion fell on deaf ears when the Monument was established. From what I understand, this issue was addressed to some extent with the eventual “Management Plan” but was under constant challenges from the environmental community.
Seems that it’s time to start selective logging and brush reduction in National Parks in the west.
Heartbreaking in every way.
Prevailing S-SW winds and anticipated cold front passing through the area may not be the best conditions for burning out on the NW side of the fire. Just a thought to throw into the mix before starting the burn. I don’t want to second guess anyone since we aren’t there to know what more favorable conditions may be present.
Will you be questioning and reporting about the notorious SW Team who lit all this on fire or are you thinking it’s just an act of God that couldn’t be helped?
Walk a mile in their shoes …. Their CURRENT shoes…. Visibility has absolutely hampered air operations. Disclaimer , aircraft don’t put fires out…. But you knew that.
Tactics wise …. How do you want us to do it ? What’s the set up on your 204’s ? What’s YOUR leaders intent? What would you be doing / trying / briefing on that our blindsides are missing ? I’m sure there are plenty of folks ready to try just about anything … including your opinions.
It is absolutely sickening that you among others are on a head hunting mission from the comfort of your home , and the anonymous masking of the internet.
Get over it … or better yet get involved proactively.
I’m keenly curious how different the outcome(s) would be with you among others calling the shots.
We work for the American public and taxpayer , talk with your congressional representatives , demand answers , provide input , among many other things… but for the love of it , just stop with your headhunting as it unfolds… the tabloid provocative wording employed is uncalled for and counterproductive.
Why don’t you tell us, Frank?
This seems like hearing that 99% of the remaining elephants in Africa were wiped out. So terribly sad.
So, Bill, what kind of comments are ok if one wishes to address competence of Command Tactics? Any?
Good question, and thanks for asking. As you probably know, we discourage criticizing firefighting tactics from hundreds or thousands of miles away, if based solely on a photo. If you attempt to do that, you may only have 2% of the information that is available to the firefighters on the scene. However, if you have a lot more information, it may be possible to bring up some points for discussion. Maybe someone else on here can fill in some blanks. But one thing we will not do is make personal attacks. So if you choose to criticize strategy, make clear what information you DO have, and you’re not just randomly lobbing uninformed bombs, killing time on a sofa during commercial breaks in a football game while the firefighters are in a much different environment doing the best they can.
And, keep in mind what we wrote yesterday about the KNP Complex. It came from the Operations Section Chief during an online briefing:
Thanks Bill. I can only hope the naturally thick bark of those ancient trees will protect them in addition to the heroic efforts of the crews on the ground and in the air.
NO MENTION OF FIXED WING AIRCRAFT ??
55 mph winds and air tankers are incompatible.