Tulare County's Pier Fire 30-percent contained, 23,000 acres burned

TULARE COUNTY (KFSN) -- On a remote road that leads to the community of Sequoia Crest, firefighters mopped up an intentional burn on the hillside. Officials say containment lines near Sequoia Crest are holding.

But the community is still one of many under a mandatory evacuation.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux says his department has posted evacuation orders on more than 700 homes.

The Pier Fire, which started last Tuesday in the Tule River Canyon, has burned more than 23,000 acres in the Sequoia National Forest, and is now 30 percent contained.

The sheriff also confirms the fire was caused by someone setting a stolen car on fire, and pushing it off a cliff.

Highway 190 is still closed, but the roadblock was pushed back as the communities known as Cow Mountain and Upper Rio Vista reopened to residents.

Springville resident Jim Rummell checked in on the area Thursday.

The retired Kern County fire captain knows some people who live there.

"This is late summer, and things are ready to burn, so we all have to be careful," Rummell said.

More than 1,600 people are working to put the Pier Fire out. Most of them are based at the Porterville Fairgrounds, and all of them work long, hot days.

"They've worked their tails off and it was tough for a while," Rummell said. "It's been really well, really well managed I think."