In Central California, I live in Clovis, which is The Gateway to the Sierra. The "Creek Fire" is going on uncontained, 30+ miles to the northeast of us, and is burning up the west face of the Sierra Nevada. Most of the small town of Big Creek has burned down, though the store, school and powerhouse were saved. This was the extent 2 days ago, and it has grown, uncontained. 2 million acres had already burned here, and I think this fire could add another 2 million.
My house is about where I've added a red X on the map.
The town of Shaver Lake has been saved, but the forest around and up past Huntington Lake is gone. I think all the cabins and the stores at Huntington are gone.
North fork & Auberry, just 25 miles north, has been evacuated, and hundreds of people were evacuated by the Fresno Air National Guard when Mammoth Pool was surrounded by fire. FANG helicopters and sky tankers are flying over us from Fresno-Yosemite Intl at odd hours, as rescue and fire fighting continues.
Mostly the fire is moving up hill to the east, and to the southeast, with the prevailing winds, towards King's Canyon. Unless there is a strong shift in winds downhill to the southwest, I don't think we are in any danger. There has been no talk of evacuating Clovis, and the natural geography is in our favor.
But I swept up a fine coat of ash from my boatyard today. It's been blowing down for 4 days now.
Clearly, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite, Cedar Grove, & Sequoia could all burn, though the giant sequoia trees are nearly fireproof themselves.
My house is not fireproof, though it does have concrete stucco, slumpstone fascia, and concrete tile roof. I have Redwoods, a Eucalyptus, and a Modesto ash, and they are all mature. I would hate to lose them. But if the Creek fire gets to me, hundreds of houses and thousands of trees will have to burn first.
My house is about where I've added a red X on the map.
The town of Shaver Lake has been saved, but the forest around and up past Huntington Lake is gone. I think all the cabins and the stores at Huntington are gone.
North fork & Auberry, just 25 miles north, has been evacuated, and hundreds of people were evacuated by the Fresno Air National Guard when Mammoth Pool was surrounded by fire. FANG helicopters and sky tankers are flying over us from Fresno-Yosemite Intl at odd hours, as rescue and fire fighting continues.
Mostly the fire is moving up hill to the east, and to the southeast, with the prevailing winds, towards King's Canyon. Unless there is a strong shift in winds downhill to the southwest, I don't think we are in any danger. There has been no talk of evacuating Clovis, and the natural geography is in our favor.
But I swept up a fine coat of ash from my boatyard today. It's been blowing down for 4 days now.
Clearly, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite, Cedar Grove, & Sequoia could all burn, though the giant sequoia trees are nearly fireproof themselves.
My house is not fireproof, though it does have concrete stucco, slumpstone fascia, and concrete tile roof. I have Redwoods, a Eucalyptus, and a Modesto ash, and they are all mature. I would hate to lose them. But if the Creek fire gets to me, hundreds of houses and thousands of trees will have to burn first.