New evacuation warnings issued as Windy Fire grows in Sequoia National Forest
More than 3,000 firefighters are in the Tulare County mountains Monday morning.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Tulare County Sheriff's Office has issued new evacuation warnings as the fast-moving Windy Fire burns in the Sequoia National Forest.
The warning is for residents on both sides of the Kern River from the Gold Ledge Campground south to River Kern, Tulare County, at the Tulare and Kern county border.
More than 3,000 firefighters are in the Tulare County mountains battling the Windy and KNP Complex fires Monday morning.
Both fires have been burning for over two weeks, with the Windy Fire reportedly causing damage to homes over the weekend.
The Windy Fire in the Tule River Indian Reservation has burned more than 85,000 acres and is only 2% contained.
Officials say that the fire perimeter increased more than 7,000 acres in 24 hours because of extreme drought conditions.
The most intense fire activity is on the southwest side in the Sugarloaf and Pine Flat areas, which is where homes were damaged.
An official property assessment will be taken when it is safe.
Recreation sites along the upper Kern River have been closed by Forest officials through October.
Fire Crews held a virtual meeting Sunday night to inform the public with updates and say safety is a top priority.
"I understand that evacuations are not easy. It's difficult to not be in your home, and we are going to do everything we can to get to your homes when we can," said Sequoia National Forest supervisor Teresa Benson.
Meanwhile, The KNP Complex in the Sequoia National Park has burned more than 46,000 acres and is 8% contained.
Lightning strikes started the complex on September 9th.
CAL FIRE dozers and hand crews have finished building some containment lines on the west side of the fire near Three Rivers and North Fork Road.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for a portion of Three Rivers. For more information on all evacuation orders and warnings in Tulare County, click here.
Both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks remain closed due to the wildfires.
