KNP Complex Fire forces evacuation orders, warnings in Tulare County

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Flames are threatening parts of the Sequoia National Forest after lightning strikes sparked several fires during thunderstorms last week.

Those fires have now combined into what's being called the KNP Complex Fire and has burned 1,037 acres.

It has now triggered mandatory evacuations and evacuation warnings for communities in the area.

"There were no signs coming up here saying that it was closed, so they let us come all the way here," said Filiberto Barraza from Oklahoma.

Barraza and his son, Felix, were met with a roadblock Monday at the entrance to the Sequoia National Park.

They have spent the last week on a road trip, trying to visit as many national parks as possible.

"I'm disappointed for sure, but what can you do?" Barraza said.

Last Thursday, a storm filled with lightning triggered three fires within the Sequoia National Forest the Cabin, Paradise and Colony Fires.

The Cabin Fire has been suppressed, but the two others have grown to more than 1,000 acres total and are now being combined and called the KNP Complex fire.

It's burning in an area with steep terrain and heavy fuels.

"It has made it very difficult firefighting because these trees are dead. It's like jackstraws in some areas. It's a big mess," said Mark Ruggiero, a public information officer with the U.S. Forest Service.

The National Forest Service, along with Tulare County Fire Department, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office and other federal resources are assigned to the fire.

Crews are using aircraft to battle the hard to access areas.

A map shows where the fires are burning. The forest's giant sequoias are marked in dark red so that crews can keep a close eye on them and keep them protected.

"They are not an imminent threat to any of the sequoia groves, but it's a concern for us," Ruggiero said.

Sunday, the Paradise Fire made a run-up on Paradise Ridge, triggering a mandatory evacuation for everyone along Mineral King Road.

A 24-hour evacuation warning was also put in place for the community of Three Rivers.

"We just don't want to take any chances of people being trapped in an area they can't get out," Ruggiero said.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Exeter Memorial Building located at 324 N. Kaweah Ave. in Exeter.

The Red Cross is set up and ready to provide food, water and resources to those who have been displaced by the fire.

It closes at 5 p.m. Monday, but will reopen Tuesday. Anyone in need of assistance can call 211.