Video: Native Trout Addict in the Golden Trout Wilderness 2017

Come along with Native Trout Addict as he fishes Volcano Creek within the Golden Trout Wilderness.

Video: Little Kern Golden Trout

When you go fishing in the Golden Trout Wilderness, do you recall your first time catching a Little Kern Golden Trout? Well if it has been awhile or you haven’t done so yet, check out this video. Hear the excitement in the guys voice. At the end, see the joy of the catch and released expressed on his face. Good job and fish on! Thanks Jay Danglz for the video.

Shaeffer Fire at 74% Containment

Incident: Schaeffer Fire Wildfire

Acres Burned: 16,002 Structures Threatened: 13

Containment: 74 % Injuries: 17

Personnel: 985 Fuel Type: Brush, timber, heavy dead and down

Start Date: June 24, 2017

A Forest closure order for the fire area, including all roads and trails is in affect and will remain until the fire is declared out (Forest Order No. 0513-17-20). For details regarding this closure, please go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285. 

Clear weather yesterday allowed firefighters to conduct a successful burning operation in the NW corner of the fire near the Kern River and the South Fork of the Kern River intersect. Today crews will continue to work, keeping the fire to the south side of the Kern River. On the east flank of the fire, in the Bonita Flats area, the fire’s perimeter has not changed over the last few days. In all other areas of the fire, crews continue to work improving and mopping-up containment lines and constructing direct line as needed.

Over the next several days, firefighters will start fire suppression repair. The goal of fire suppression repair is to minimize or eliminate environmental impacts caused by firefighting activities and leave the area in as natural a condition as possible. Vegetation that was cut will be scattered and used to cover areas of bare soil that were cleared by the fire fighters. This includes hand lines, dozer lines, safety zones and helicopter landing sites. Trash will be hauled out and excess equipment will be removed. Fire suppression repair is the first phase of rehabilitation after a wildfire. 

With the significant progress made in reaching 74% containment, fire managers are beginning to downsize the suppression organization. Resources are being released as conditions warrant.

For Smoke Advisory information, see https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html orhttp://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm.

Information on the #SchaefferFire can be found on Facebook and Twitter ,https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285 or go to Schaefferfire@gmail.com. The Kern River Ranger District can also be reached at 760-376-3781 (ext.635) from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Source: InciWeb

Wildfire Update: Shaeffer Fire at 61% Containment

Incident: Schaeffer Fire Wildfire
Acres Burned: 16,002

Structures Threatened: 13

Containment: 61% Injuries: 5 (minor)

Personnel: 1,039 Fuel Type: Brush, timber, heavy dead and down

Start Date: June 24, 2017

A Forest closure order for the fire area, including all roads and trails is in affect and will remain until the fire is declared out (Forest Order No. 0513-17-20).For details regarding this closure, please go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285.

Suppression efforts on the Schaeffer fire have increased to a containment of 61%. The southwest portion of the fire from the Forks of the Kern to Bonita Meadows is now considered contained. The fire remains active on its northern border in the Kern River area, northeast of the Forks of the Kern, and on the eastern flank in the Beach Meadows area. Protection measures are still in place for structures that may be threatened. Similar conditions are expected today for those regions of the fire, which may result in smoke columns.

Firefighters continue to work along the Kern River and on the eastern perimeter to secure and hold the fire line. Air operations will make water drops throughout the day to check fire spread and cool areas of intense heat. Crews may use firing operations when weather is ideal to consume unburned fuel between containment lines and the fire.

In advance of potential firing operations public and firefighter safety, as well as protection of property are top priorities. “Burning out” is a tactic used by firefighters to assist in controlling fires. Operations of this type are used during favorable weather to minimize fire severity. Firefighters will wait for optimal conditions and continually assess the firing operation. Smoke and fire may be visible.

Resources assigned to the Schaeffer Fire include of 30 crews, 28 engines, 6 dozers and 10 water tenders, and various overhead and support personnel for a total of 1,039 personnel.

Friday and Saturday will see a slight warming and drying trend. Relative humidity may drop back into the upper teens during this time.

As suppression efforts continue, smoke may impact surrounding communities. Smoke is typically greater in the morning and evening hours. Plan outdoor activities for times and places with low smoke levels. People with respiratory conditions, young children, and elderly people may be susceptible to adverse effects. Air District officials urge residents to follow their doctor’s advice. For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html orhttp://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm.

Information on the #SchaefferFire can be found on Facebook and Twitter or go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285. The Kern River Ranger District can also be reached at 760-376-3781 (ext.635) from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Source: InciWeb

Video: Backpacking Eastern Sierras Golden Trout Wilderness

Come along on a journey with Wolfgang Vonberk through the eastern side of the Golden Trout Wilderness. Do you recognize landmarks along the way? Please feel free to share where you think the author of the video traveled.

Wildfire Update: Shaeffer at 42% Containment

Incident: Schaeffer Fire Wildfire
Released: 11 hrs. ago

Related Information

• Update July 13 (pdf 217 kb)

Acres Burned: 15,859 Structures Threatened: 13

Containment: 42% Injuries: 4 (minor)

Personnel: 1,141 Fuel Type: Brush, timber, heavy dead and down

Start Date: June 24, 2017

A Forest closure order for the fire area, including all roads and trails is in affect and will remain until the fire is declared out (Forest Order No. 0513-17-20). For details regarding this closure, please go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285 .

The Schaeffer Fire was active yesterday on its northern border in the Little Kern River and Kern River area. Similar conditions are expected today for that region of the fire and on the eastern flank, in the Beach Meadows region, which may result in smoke columns. Crews are working along the Kern River securing and holding the northern and eastern perimeters.

Firefighters are making excellent progress in constructing and holding hand line on all flanks of the fire. Air operations continued to make water drops throughout the day to check the spread of the fire Overall the heat from the fire is diminishing. Containment has increased to 42%.

In advance of potential firing operations public and firefighter safety, as well as protection of property are top priorities for the Incident Management Team. “Burning out” is a tactic used by firefighters to assist in controlling fires. Operations of this type are typically used during favorable weather to minimize fire severity. As such, crews wait for optimal conditions. Firefighters will constantly assess the firing operation. Smoke and fire may be visible.

Resources assigned to the Schaeffer Fire include of 37 crews, 29 engines, 5 dozers and 12 water tenders, and various overhead and support personnel for a total of 1,141 personnel.

Little change in the weather pattern is expected over the next few days. Thursday and Friday will see a slight warming and drying trend. Relative humidity is likely to drop back into the upper teens during this time.

As suppression efforts continue, smoke may impact surrounding communities. Smoke is typically greater in the morning and evening hours. Plan outdoor activities for times and places with low smoke levels. People with respiratory conditions, young children, and elderly people may be susceptible to adverse effects. Air District officials urge residents to follow their doctor’s advice. For more information, seehttps://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html or http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm.

Information on the #SchaefferFire can be found by following on Facebook and Twitter or go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5285. The Kern River Ranger District can also be reached at 760-376-3781 (ext.635) from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Source: Schaeffer Fire InciWeb

Video: Golden Trout Wilderness 2017

Four hikers head into the Golden Trout Wilderness from Horseshoe Meadow on the Inyo National Forest side. As the author, Mark Henn, states in the comments,

This is day one of what was supposed to be 6 days in the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada’s. Unfortunately one of the kids came down with a really bad cold the first night. I didn’t want to risk it turning into something worse and be more than a 1 day hike out so we decided to come back out.

Thanks for sharing this 20 minute video with everyone Mark! Hopefully everyone can head back out soon once the cold goes away.

Wildfire Update: Latest Progression Map

Fire Progression from InciWeb – Click to Enlarge

Video: Two Nights at the Little Kern River

Come along with Catherine Gregory on 3 day/2 night trip to the Little Kern River. She decided to celebrate her birthday outdoors and with her friend Julie, who happens to be doing her first backpacking trip. Thanks for sharing the video Catherine and, for everyone else, enjoy their adventure!

The camp site

Arriving at the wilderness boundary

Little Kern River

Views from the tent

Some Map Links Fixed

Just letting everyone know I re-updated the Google Earth KML/KMZ files and GTW Map 100MB PDF links. They should all be available now to download once again from Dropbox.