Rough Fire continues to pour smoke into the Eastern Sierra

Date:     August 12, 2015
Subject: Rough Fire and smoke in the Eastern Sierra

Rough Fire continues to bring very smokey conditions to Mono County

The Rough Fire is the likely cause of the smoke that has settled in the Eastern Sierra, especially in the southern Mono County areas. Below is a summary of the fire and current conditions from the U.S. Forest Service - Sierra National Forest. We have also included the updated fire activity map for the State of California and an air quality report and other air quality related information. Please note that the air quality in the Mammoth Lakes area is unhealthy for sensitive groups. - Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer

From the US Forest Service - Sierra National Forest:

Summary: Rough Fire
The fire continues to grow at a slow to moderate rate of spread in all directions. To the north, it’s burning closer to the Spanish Mountain and Obelisk, and eventually will contain itself as it burns up to the granite outcroppings. Along the west, southwest perimeter the fire continues to slowly back down into Rough Creek. The southwest portion of the perimeter continues to slowly back down to the Middle Fork of the Kings River. With its slow movement to the river it will eventually self-contain as it burns up to the river’s edge. Air Attack remains in the air constantly monitoring the situation. If this edge of the fire becomes aggressively active, type 1 helicopters will be use to moderate it.

Wednesday additional overhead from a National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) team will join the Sierra National Forest, Type 3 organization in managing the fire.

Closures
Currently there are no closures on the Sierra or Sequoia National Forests. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks remain fully open with no closures.

Visitors may experience smoke impacts in many popular recreational areas including Wishon Reservoir, Hume Lake and Cedar Grove area. For air quality updates visit http://www.valleyair.org/aqinfo/forecast.htm for more information.

Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are in place for the Sierra National Forest. Campfires are only allowed in designated developed recreation sites.

Follow the Sierra National Forest on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SierraNFand Like the Sierra National Forest on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SierraNF. Visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/sierra

Acres burned: 6,830
Containment: 0
Fire Start: July 31, 2015
Cause: Lightening
Total personnel: 211