[pct-l] Piute fire north of Tehachapi PCT is in the closure area and precautionary evacuation area

[mattjolley at comcast.net]

Aye Tom,  the fog of PCT hiking  and fires.    Although the closure does not state it, the PCT
 is in the closure order map which is 5 days old.

The PCT  near Claraville  on Piute Mountain Rd is in the July 1,  fire closure area per web map.
 This closure extends south about 5 miles,  about PCT mile 600.

 July 6,  precautionary evacuation orders extend beyond that closure area,  SOBO mile 616
  at Kelso Valley Rd.    Note precautionary evacuation is also East of the PCT for the Sorrel Peak Rd.  south of Piute Mnt Rd.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/currentconditions/

The 21,000 acre fire is west  of the PCT.  The fire is southeast of Lake Isabella.

July 6 satellite thermal imaging indicates burning on west,north and east sides of the fire
http://www.geomac.gov/
I wish halfmile would correlate the actual fire to a map with the PCT.


FS indicates that on July 1 the FS closure includes all accesses and routes west of the
PCT trail in the Sequoia National Forest.  Fire has been moving east since then

Kernville Ranger station fire info is 760-376-3781,    FS phone is (760) 549-0213

inciweb.org/incident/1420

http://165.221.39.44/incident/1420/

Fire BehaviorThe fire continues to be very active on the eastern flank with spotting 1/4 to 1/2 mile and a probability of ignition near 100%.
Significant EventsSuppression forces continue to deepen line construction on the southern perimeter towards the east. The fire was active in all divisions and continued to move east due to strong southwesterly winds. Crews are attempting to keep the fire north of Piute Mountain Road with the aid of aerial retardant. Crews continued line construction on the western perimeter near Saddle Spring Road and began prep work for a contingency line. Indirect line was constructed in the SRA (State Responsibility Area) for perimeter control. Line construction continued in the northwest and northeast portion of the fire; however, lines were being threatened by low humidities and strong winds. The Forest closure in the Piute Mountain area remains in effect. A new precautionary evacuation was issued for all residents west of Kelso Valley Road and east of the Sequoia National Forest boundary. A precautionary evacuation is also in place for Sorrel Peak Road south of the Piute Mountain Road. The Bu
reau of Land Management has issued temporary closures of motorized vehicles in the Piute Fire area.