Lightning Starts New Fire in The Golden Trout Wilderness
Incident: Shotgun Wildfire
Released: 6/26/2009
Date: June 26, 2009 www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lightning Starts New Fire in the Golden Trout Wilderness
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST, CA A dozen lighting strikes struck the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Western Divide Ranger District earlier this month. One ignited a fire near the where Shotgun Creek runs into the Little Kern River.
The "Shotgun Fire" has grown to over 20 acres and is being managed by fifty firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service. The Golden Trout Wilderness, managed by the Forest Service, is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the city of Porterville.
The Shotgun Fire, discovered Tuesday June 23rd, slowly grew to only two acres. With warming temperatures the fire burned across the Little Kern River and spread towards Camelback Ridge. Firefighters made efforts to slow the spread of the fire by dropping water from a helicopter and then burning out from the ridge, currently the fire is being held successfully at Camelback Ridge.
There are no trail closures in the Golden Trout Wilderness but visitors are urged to be cautious when traveling in the area near the fire, alternate routes are recommended. For up-to-date information please contact the Springville office at 559-539-2607.
The Shotgun fire is being managed to achieve resource benefits. "Fire is a critical part of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem and helps to maintain a healthy forest" stated Incident Commander Paul Gibbs. "This fire will help restore the natural ecological processes and reduce future suppression costs," stated Gibbs.
