Walker Fire Update #13 (Lee Vining)

Date:    August 20, 2015
Time:    8:00p
Subject: Walker Fire Update

Date Started: 8/14/2015
Cause: Human
Total Personnel: 452
Injuries/Illnesses to Date: 3
Size: 3,715 acres
Structures Threatened: 235
Percent Contained:  50%
Resources: 2 Helicopters, 0 Seats, 0 Air Tankers29, Engines, 10 Crews, 6 Water Tenders, 2 Dozers
Structures Lost: 0
Estimated Containment: 8/23/2015

Walker Fire Now 50% Contained

Lee Vining, CA: Burning approximately two miles southwest of Lee Vining the Walker Fire remains at 3,715 acres. This is a human-caused fire that is still under investigation.

Crews made considerable progress improving containment lines as well as mop up, which includes extinguishing hot spots to ensure that the fire does not re-ignite. Mitigation efforts also continue on the 65-acre spot fire. Tioga Pass (Highway120) is open without an escort and the Code Red Emergency Alert notice issued for June Lake has been lifted.

The fire is burning in mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining areas and along Highway 395.

For the safety of our firefighters, effective air operations and continued containment efforts, please keep drones away from the Walker Fire and near heliports.

Closures and Evacuations:
Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.

Campgrounds in the Lower Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and will remain closed through the weekend. These areas include Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.

PLEASE NOTE: The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.

Approximately 452 firefighters are on scene as well as numerous aircraft, dozers, and engines. Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, neighboring forests, BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned.  For more information on the Walker Fire you can go to the following sites: Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4515/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inyonfhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Mono-Count...

####