KNP evening update
500-600 acre spotfire reported across the north fork of the Kaweah RIver
***9:30pm on September 30 ~ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks KNP Complex Facebook Update
KNP Complex Fire Announcement: Ground and air resources are currently responding to a 500-600 acre spot fire that has crossed the north fork of the Kaweah River, approximately two to three miles southeast of Eshom Point. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Looking northwest near where the spotfire has been reported. Hopefully we’ll have more intel in the morning:
SOUTHERN SIERRA FIRES
Windy IR didn’t fly last night and wIth little growth on the KNP Complex, I’m not seeing much need for posting fire spread maps today.
WINDY FIRE
***5am on September 30 – Chuck Ervin
No new IR and the VIIRS haven’t hit yet today. Based on yesterday’s information my eyes would be on the Gordon Hill/Bear Creek area where the ridge lines are running parallel to the intended path of the fire, limiting options for line cutting.
Another concern is the east flank of the fire in the light, flashy fuels of the McNally scar. Those fuels will be much more available now and into the week than they have been over the last couple of days.
The incident weather forecast and fire behavior analysis produced by the fire suppression effort is telling. High daytime probability of ignition. Very low fine fuel moisture.
***7pm on September 29 – Sequoia National Forest
Fire behavior was moderate today. Along the eastern perimeter, firelines are holding from the Ponderosa south to Johnsondale. In the M99 corridor between Johnsondale and Baker Point, there are a few places where the fire continues to be more active, although it did not grow much. Crews are unable to directly suppress the fire there, so they are looking at various indirect fire-suppression options, for example, using helicopters to conduct bucket drops.
On the fire’s south side, where the numerous spot fires are, crews are constructing fireline around and suppressing the isolated fires individually. On the western side of the fire, crews are also able to directly suppress the fire in many places. Clear skies allowed numerous helicopters to assist firefighters on the ground with water drops.
*** END WINDY
KNP COMPLEX
IR Map: 
***5am on September 30 – Chuck Ervin
KNP Complex continues to burn actively along the North and Middle Forks of the Kaweah.
Along the North Fork, near Muir/Pine Ridge Groves, this morning’s IR shows intense heat as the fire backs down to the North Fork. The Pine Ridge Grove is mostly north facing, this may reduce fire impacts in that location. Some parts of the Muir Grove face west and are a bit steeper, so fire extension there may be an issue. With a short hop across the river to new fuel, the North Fork of the Kaweah from here back down towards Three Rivers will be an area to watch as weather continues to warm through the week.
North of the Castle Rocks, on the south bank of the Middle Fork, new heat and spread was also seen. The Castle Grove is on well shaded, north facing ground. However the terrain is extremely steep and the canyon somewhat narrow. Elevations here change quickly from the river at just over 4,000 feet to the tops of the grove at nearly 7,000 feet. With forecasted temperatures in the 50s-70s and relative humidity in the teens, timing is poor for the introduction of a head or flanking fire into the grove this week.
*** END KNP COMPLEX