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The Fire is located within the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County and is approximately seven miles north of Big Creek. It is currently burning off Stump Springs Road, north of Aspen Springs. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team is in command of the Aspen Fire.
Clouds moved into the fire area Monday night which caused good relative humidity recovery. These recoveries assisted with the fire suppression, but the inversion layer increased smoke accumulation in the low laying areas and especially, in the Huntington Lake area.
Monday night, crews successfully utilized firing operations near Stump Springs Road to strengthen the southernmost edge of the fire, between Stump Springs Road and the San Joaquin River. The large column of smoke, seen near Huntington Lake, was from the firing operation. Crews continued mopping up 100 to 200 feet along the fires perimeter, where it is safe to do so. Fire crews are using Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) along the fires edge, burning in the Kaiser Wilderness.
Smoke from the Aspen Fire continues to impact air quality in local communities. Crews will utilize firing operations over the next few days to assist with enforcing containment lines. Firing operations are actions taken to remove unburned fuels between the active fire line and the contingency lines which fire crews have been creating over the past several days. The operation will put additional smoke into the atmosphere. Fire crews are also being sensitive to environmental and cultural resources in and around the fire area.
An air quality monitoring device has been installed at the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Station. The device will provide smoke data from the Aspen Fire to the air resource advisor and the area air pollution control districts
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Total Size: 21,381 acres - 75% contained
Total Personnel: 1,673
Injuries: 3
Cost to date: $23.4 million
Campground closures within the Sierra National Forest:
- Sample Meadow
- West Kaiser
- Jackass Rock Organization
- Lower Chiquito
- Little Jackass
- Soda Springs
- Placer
- Sweet Water
- China Bar
- Rock Creek
- Wagners Mammoth Pool Resort
Campgrounds closed to support firefighting efforts:
- Rancheria
- Badger Flat
- Midge Creek
All trails within the Kaiser Wilderness are closed.
Summary
The Fire is located within the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County and is approximately seven miles North of Big Creek. It is currently burning off Stump Springs Road, North of Aspen Springs. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team is in command of the Aspen Fire.
The inversion layer continues to cause smoke to accumulate in the low laying areas of the fire which hampers visibility of firefighters on the ground and in the air.
Recreation and businesses remain open in the Shaver Lake, Big Creek, Huntington Lake, Lake Thomas Edison, Florence Lake and Mono Hot Springs on the Sierra National Forest. June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, and Rock Creek areas remain open on the Inyo National Forest.
Individuals sensitive to smoke are advised to remain indoors and keep windows closed to minimize exposure to smoke. For more information regarding smoke visit: www.valleyair.org
