Walker Fire burns 3,715 acres and is now 35% contained

8 p.m. update 8/18/15:

The Walker Fire has now burned 3,715 acres and is now 35% contained. It has been determined that the fire is human caused and is under investigation.

There are 484 firefighters working on the fire along with 4 helicopters, 2 Air tankers, 34 Engines, 10 Crews, 6 Water Tenders, and 4 Dozers.

235 structures remain threatened but none have burned so far.

For the campers that were evacuated along Hwy 120 (Tioga Pass), there were escorts today into those campgrounds for property and belongings to be retrieved. The escorts took place until 3:00 pm and will operate on Wednesday, August 19 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. depending on law enforcement availability.

For those that need to get into a campground, there is an escort station set up at Hwy 120 just past the Tioga Mobile Mart. You will see 3 cones in the roadway near the bus stop. Please pull over at these cones and wait for the proper law enforcement escort into your campground.

The campgrounds in Lower Lee Vining Canyon remain closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.

The Upper Lee Vining Campgrounds are re-opening. These include Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake, Junction, Sawmill, and Saddlebag Campgrounds. Tioga Pass Resort and the Saddlebag Lake Resorts are open and the evacuation advisory is lifted.

4 p.m. update 8/17/15:

400 firefighting personnel are working on the Walker Fire which is burning 2 miles west of the town of Lee Vining on Highway 395.

The fire is estimated at 3,700 acres with a 75 acre spot fire in Horseshoe Meadows and is now 10% contained. This is a human-caused fire that is still under investigation.

Last night crews made significant progress was made with bulldozers and hand crews securing direct lines at the heel of the fire. Today, firefighters throughout the region will continue to suppress the Walker Fire constructing containment lines on the west, south, and eastern flanks, supported by air operations. The northern flank is showing active fire behavior.

Tioga Pass Road reopened at 1 p.m. Monday without an escort. However, there will no stopping along the eastern six miles of the road. This will be strictly enforced. The fire remains active to the south of the road and this is essential for firefighter and public safety.

Crews will continue to strengthen firelines focusing on the northern flank. The fire is burning is 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 area and along Highway 395.

8 p.m. update 8/16/15:

The Walker Fire is estimated to be 2,200 acres and is 10% contained. The fire is northeast of Walker Lake and west of Lee Vining Canyon.

Additional fire crews arrived today and they made good progress on line construction on the west, south, and eastern flanks, supported by air operations. However, the northern flank showed active fire behavior this afternoon and evening and led to further evacuations in Lee Vining Canyon (upper canyon campgrounds).

Crews will continue to strengthen firelines tonight, focusing on the northern flank. Active fire behavior is expected tonight with low night-time relative humidity recovery.

· Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.
· A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.
· Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass) is closed between Highway 395 and the Yosemite National Park Entrance.
· Campgrounds in the entire Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Junction, Ellery Lake, Tioga Lake Campground, Sawmill, and Saddlebag Campgrounds.
· The Tioga Pass and Saddlebag Resorts are under an evacuation advisory.
· 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.
· The Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations and it is suggested that visitors should avoid this area.

The fire is burning is 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 area and along Highway 395.

Approximately 350 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. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Original story:

The Walker Fire, burning north of Walker Lake and northwest of June Lake has spread to 1,200 acres since starting on Friday night. It is unknown at this point how it started.

Homes in the area have been evacuated and 20 structures are threatened. It is burning mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened.

Tioga Pass, also known as Highway 120 West between Highway 395 Yosemite, is closed for public safety. Smoke can be seen from June Lake and Hwy 395.

Campgrounds in the Lee Vining Canyon, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend have been closed due to the fire.

Since the Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations it is suggested that visitors avoid the area.