French Fire near Isabella Lake grows to 13,000 acres

Bill Gabbert
August 22, 2021

1:28 p.m. PDT August 23, 2021

French Fire map 8 p.m. PDT August 22, 2021 — Map of the French Fire. The black line was the perimeter determined by a fixed wind mapping flight at 8 p.m. PDT August 22, 2021. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 3:51 a.m. PDT August 23, 2021. The dark red areas had intense heat during the mapping flight. Green indicates Sequoia National Forest.

From the French Fire Incident Management Team at about 10:30 a.m. Monday:

“On Sunday, Aug. 22, fire crews constructed a handline near Wagy Flat Road (Forest Road No. 25S02) to hold the fire and connect into a previous controlled line. Crews were also successful continuing handline from the Sawmill Road break to the division break that is one mile south of Wagy Flat.

“Today [Monday] crews will continue to mop up in those areas and pay close attention to the structures off the Sawmill Road. Further west, towards Rancheria Road (Forest Road No. 25S15), there was some fire growth and fire crews successfully used dozers and hand crews to catch the smaller spot fire that slopped over onto Borderline Road. Crews will work towards Rancheria Road constructing direct line with a strong probability they can get up to Rancheria Road within the upcoming days.”

12:03 p.m. PDT August 22, 2021

French Fire map. The black line was the perimeter determined by a fixed wing mapping flight at 8:32 p.m. PDT August 21, 2021. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 2:32 a.m. PDT August 22, 2021. The dark red areas had intense heat during the mapping flight.

On Saturday the French Fire west of Isabella Lake in Southern California exhibited group torching of trees and long-range spotting, but the activity slowed during the night. The blaze has burned 13,341 acres.

For Sunday firefighters are concerned about the spot fire west of Alta Sierra which is a threat for the residences in that area.

Additional spread is possible with upslope runs and long range spotting to the east.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the French Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.

The weather forecast for Sunday calls for 2 to 6 mph winds out of the northwest, 77 degrees, and 40 percent relative humidity. Slightly stronger winds are expected on Monday with lower humidity.