Rough Fire at more than 77,000 acres, 25 percent containment

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A wildfire burning primarily in the Sierra National Forest and Sequoia National Forest is now the biggest wildfire in the state. The Rough Fire has grown to more than 77,000 acres and is now 25 percent contained.

There are still a lot of heavy concentrations of smoke in some places. The fire is now expected to move toward the east and has reached Lewis Creek in the Monarch Wilderness.

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Click here for the latest Rough Fire air quality report (PDF)

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On Sunday, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office canceled the evacuation warning for the Wishon area.

Rough Fire Information

The weather continues to remain cooler with higher humidity levels. Smoke will settle in the lower areas and valleys leading to Unhealthy or Very Unhealthy air quality. Decreased fire activity provides an opportunity for crews to work on lines in all areas.

Wildland Fire Modules are operating in the wilderness area. Pack strings are supporting these units to limit helicopter flights due to decreased visibility. Yesterday, PG&E re-energized the power from Hass Power House, near Black Rock to Wishon Reservoir through the Woodchuck lines. All power generated through Balch Camp supplying the Central Valley is energized.

Firefighters continue burn operations from Buck Rock north to Burton Pass. Lines have been reinforced east toward Little Boulder Creek with work progressing toward the Sheep Fire that occurred in 2010. The fire has primarily been surface burning although areas with jackpots of beetle killed trees have exhibited extreme fire behavior with up to 130 ft. flame lengths.

Work continues on the line along Hoist Ridge toward Kings River. Air Operations has been pre-treating the line with water and retardant drops with a variety of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft including the Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT). Crews will continue burning to the west, removing fuel from in front of the fire.

With temperatures increasing in the afternoon, the eastern section of Little Tehipite Valley will experience increased fire activity again. The fire progresses northeast toward Stag Dome above Cedar Creek and east along the King River. Structure defense preparations are being completed around Cedar Grove as a precaution.

While firefighters make the final push towards containment of Hume Lake, Balch Camp and Black Rock areas, they must fulfill another extremely important task. Firefighters must recover and return items as activities continue to wind down. The list of equipment that includes; hose, pump kits; generators; chainsaw kits; collapsible water tanks; and smaller items such as hose fittings and nozzles. Equipment must then cleaned, repaired, and organized to be ready for the next incident.

Size: 77,287 acres

Containment: 25 percent

Total Personnel: 2,121

CLOSURES

Sierra National Forest closure order for the Rough Fire area remains in effect

The Hume Lake Ranger District, Jenny Lakes Wilderness and Monarch Wilderness, including Forest Road 12S01, 12S01E, and 12S19 in the

Sequoia Highlands area of the Sequoia National Forest remain closed.

McKinley Grove Rd. (11S40) is closed at Wishon Dam, including the 11S07.

10S24 is closed from the intersection of 11S91 to where it meets 11S40 at Buck Meadow.

11S12 Rd. (Salt Flat Rd.) is closed at McKinley Grove Rd.

Trimmer Springs Road at Kirch Flat.

OPEN

Parts of the Grant Grove and Wilsonia areas of Kings Canyon National Park are now open. The General Grant Tree, Panoramic Point, John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins, Visitor Center, park trails, restaurant, market and gift shop are now open to residents and visitors.

Rough Fire air quality report (PDF)