Creek Fire: Blaze Prompts Dramatic Rescue; 78,790 Acres Burn

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST, CA — An explosive brush fire in the Sierra National Forest continued to swell under arduous weather conditions Monday as fire crews worked to contain the 78,790 acre fire. With 0 percent containment, officials pointed to dead and dry trees that are feeding the massive blaze.

The commune of Shaver Lake was threatened throughout the night as the flames jumped Highway 168 and was charging south fueled by extreme weather.

"Fuels continued to be the main influence of the fire, with the heavy fuel loading from the dead and down material," Cal Fire said Monday. "Timber in the area has approximately 80-90 percent tree mortality from the bark beetle."

The dangerous blaze trapped 207 people at the Mammoth Pool Reservoir Saturday as the fire quickly ballooned from 2,000 acres to 36,000 acres. Those who were trapped nearly had to ride out the blaze by wading into the reservoir; however, the California National Guard flew in using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to airlift people to safety.

Two people suffered major injuries, and at least 10 others were hurt.

“The fire burned actively overnight,” according to a statement by the U.S. Forest Service Saturday. “Crews will be challenged today by steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures.”

The fire broke out Friday evening near the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake and exploded Saturday amid intense heat, eating up dense and parched trees and brush in steep terrain. By Sunday morning, the fire was still at 0% containment.

A second dramatic rescue was underway Sunday night.

Two military Chinook helicopters were headed to China Peak near Huntington Lake early Sunday evening to rescue about 120 people early Sunday evening trapped by the blaze, GV Wire℠ reports.

The publication cited a person on ground, who said the air rescue was needed because the fire was burning on both sides of Highway 168.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Evacuations and Road Closures

Warnings:

• Fresno County: Tollhouse Road from SR-168 to Lodge Road including Tollhouse Road North to SR -168.
• Madera County: Community of Bass Lake, Wawona and Fish Camp

Mandatory Evacuations:

• Communities of Big Creek, Huntington Lake and Cascadel Woods.

Closures:

• Hwy 168 is closed 2.7 miles east of Prather below the four lanes.

Paige Austin contributed to this report.