Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument Forest Service News Release

Walkers Fire Information: - Denise Alonzo [email protected] Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks - Mark Ruggiero [email protected]

Firefighters respond quickly to Walkers Fire spreading east

SPRINGVILLE, Calif. — September 3, 2021 Efforts to fully suppress the 8,304-acre Walkers Fire continue. Over half of the fire’s perimeter, 52%, has been contained. Yesterday, the fire spread east, crossing the Little in the , Sequoia National Forest. It was stopped along trail 32E02 below Tamarack Creek. Crews will focus their efforts on this section today to keep it from spreading further.

On the north and west sides, crews continue constructing hand fireline utilizing natural barriers where available. Eight hand crews are spending both days and nights on the fires edge, supported by helicopter personnel, as they work to fully contain the Walkers Fire. Forest and Park Service personnel are working side-by-side to coordinate fire suppression efforts across agency boundaries.

The Walkers Fire erupted in mid-August when lightning ignited vegetation in the in Sequoia National Forest. It later spread into south of . The fire is burning in steep and rugged terrain, critically dry vegetation, drought stressed, bug infested, and fire-killed trees, most within the footprint of past wildfires.

The northwest edge is located approximately eight miles south of Mineral King in Sequoia National Park. There is not an immediate threat to those who live and recreate in Mineral King, however trail closures are in place to the south. All lands in the Hockett Plateau, including the Atwell Mill Trail, Tar Gap Trail and the South Fork Trail above Garfield Grove and the Soda Spring Creek Drainage, near Quinn Patrol Cabin and along the exterior boundary of Sequoia National Park are temporarily closed to all individuals due to the Walkers Fire. https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/trailcond.htm

The Sequoia National Forest currently has a full Forest closure in place through September 17, 2021, unless otherwise terminated or extended. Regional Hotline: 707-562-9113 https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia

Additional Walkers Fire information, closure details, pictures, fire history, and a map of the fire area can be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7807/

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