Forks Fire Update 08:00 Am
Incident: Forks Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/20/2009
NEWS Forest Service United States Department of Agriculture Inyo National Forest 351 Pacu Lane Bishop, CA 93514 Contact: Nancy Upham (760) 873-2427 Date: July 20, 2009 8:00 AM Forks Fire Update Monday July 20, 2009 - 8:00 AM As of 8:00 this morning the Forks Fire burning in Bishop Creek Canyon is estimated to be about 2100 acres. Light rain fell on the fire late yesterday afternoon causing the relative humidity to remain high throughout the night, so the fire did not grow significantly. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for all campgrounds, resorts, marinas, and pack stations in the Bishop Creek drainage, as well as the residential communities of Aspendell and South Fork. Starlite remains under voluntary evacuation. Residents who leave Starlite will be allowed back in if they have proof of residency and have a reason for returning home. The Evacuation Center in Bishop has been re-located to Pine Street School. This morning between the hours of 10:00 and 12:00 AM, campers will be escorted in to the campgrounds that they were evacuated from in order to retreive their belongings. All must be back out of the canyon by 1:00 PM. Fire managers and the Inyo County Sheriff's Department will be evaluating the situation this afternoon and will attempt to make an announcement by 5:00 this evening regarding whether or not the evacuation will be lifted tomorrow. Please tune in to local radio stations KIBS, KSRW, and KMMT for updated information. Fire Information is also available by calling 760-873-2503. A Type II Fire Team from Southern California took over management of the Forks Fire at 8:00 this morning. Airtankers and helicopters will continue to support engines and handcrews working to contain the fire. # # #
