Schaefer Fire

[Ants]

The Schaeffer fire started as a lightning strike in the McNally fire burn area. For a while, the acreage was under 100 acres.

The fire moved into unburned area and things changed dramatically. Today's report showed acreage increased from around 4,500 to over 10,000 acres.

If you are planning any travels you may want to check conditions. Today's report talked of a possible closure of Sherman Pass Road (summit lookout to Troy Meadow campground). The smoke makes the Kern River Valley and 20-mile stretch unpleasant until afternoon winds kick in. Kennedy Meadows area is getting afternoon smoke. The fire may burn to the river in the area of the Forks. Containment is not projected until the end of July.

Lots of immediate and long term impacts to consider.


Ants

[John Harper]

We had a smoky afternoon up at CWL one day on the trip.

John

[Ants]

A new forest service closure effective today, see exhibit, but it extends from Johnsondale Bridge to Little Kern Bridge eastward including Forks of the Kern. The Troy Meadow area and extending to Kennedy Meadows S Fork Bridge and along N side of Domeland Wilderness and back to Bridge.

Ants

[lv2fish]

Not real familiar with that area but I assume this means that Sherman pass is closed. Was hoping to do a motorcycle ride soon over the pass.

Any info would be appreciated.

PS. The map on Inciweb was not working when I tried to look earlier

[Wildman]

Call the USFS office in Kernville or up at Black Rock for specifics on closures

[lv2fish]

Thanks - will call the station if our plans come together this weekend.

[Sparky of SoCal]

This was on the Kern River Fly Shop dated 7-11-17

Sherman Pass is closed at this time due to a fire (Schaeffer Fire) 50 miles north of Kernville and 10 miles past the Forks of the Kern. The forest service fire report says the fire is 17 miles north of Kernville and this is incorrect.

Yesterday, firefighters continued to have success with containment efforts as fire backed slowly toward the Kern River to the northwest. The west flank has held for the past 72 hours. Hotshot crews worked in the rugged terrain on the north end of the fire to strengthen the containment line using existing roads and trails to keep it from spreading into the Golden Trout Wilderness. The humidity was higher due to thunderstorms in the area.

[Wildman]

Here's the link to the Inciweb page. They have a number of maps. This fire really make a couple of good runs (see the progression map). You can click around to the other info as well. I still see the damage from the Manter fire so many years ago. Very sad for all.

[Ants]

In the Forks area, there was diminishing smoke yesterday and no plumes. The helicopters were busy.

Sherman Pass road is closed past the Cherry Hill road turnoff.

The Lloyd Meadow road was surprisingly quiet.

Ants