Silver fire moves fast in Mono, Inyo counties as wind gusts keep firefighting aircraft grounded
The vegetation fire was reported at 2:11 p.m. at Highway 6 and Silver Canyon Road north of Bishop, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fire jumped the highway and was threatening "multiple structures," Cal Fire BDU said in a post on X at about 4 p.m. "Aircraft, Heavy Equipement and additional engines requested."
The blaze had burned at least 1,000 acres as of 7:50 p.m., according to Cal Fire. The fire was moving at a "rapid rate of speed" to the east and northeast, according to the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
Strong winds and dry conditions were hindering the firefight from the air. Several aircraft were grounded due to "extreme turbulence," according to Cal Fire BDU.
The weather service reported wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph with relative humidity at about 10%.
As of about 5:30 p.m., mandatory evacuations were in place for portions of northern Inyo and southeastern Mono counties including the White Mountains Wilderness Area. Highway 6 was closed.
An evacuation center was established at the Benton Community Center, 58869 Highway 120 in Benton, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Smittle Fire 50% contained in Napa County; traffic delays continue
A vegetation fire that sparked Wednesday afternoon near Lake Berryessa in Napa County has been 50% contained, according to Cal Fire. But traffic restrictions remain in place as firefighters continue mop-up efforts and monitor the area for lingering hot spots. The Smittle Fire ignited shortly before noon along the 5500 block of Berryessa Knoxville Road, near the Smittle Creek Day Use Area, north of Spanish Flat. Officials urged drivers to use caution, as traffic in the area has been reduced to a single lane to accommodate fire crews. Aircraft were deployed early in the response, with two air tankers and a helicopter working to suppress the flames. By approximately 1 p.m., all aerial resources had been released, according to Incident Command updates shared on Watch Duty.
CBS News
11 hours ago
- CBS News
Smittle Fire burns in Napa County near Lake Berryessa
A vegetation fire burned in Napa County on Wednesday at the west end of Lake Berryessa north of Spanish Flat, Cal Fire said. The Smittle Fire was originally reported at around noon along Berryessa Knoxville Road near the Smittle Creek Day Use Area of the lake. Cal Fire said on social media that the fire had a moderate rate of speed and burned about 10 acres before forward progress was stopped at about 12:34 p.m. By 1:37 p.m., Cal Fire said the fire was approximately 50% contained and fire crews were strengthening containment lines and locating hot spots. Traffic on Berryessa Knoxville Road near the fire was reduced to one lane of traffic while crews battled the fire. The cause of the fire was not immediately disclosed. There were no reports of injuries or structures threatened.
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Gifford Fire in California's Central Coast reaches "mega fire" status, burns more than 119,000 acres
The Gifford Fire burning in California's Central Coast in Santa Barbara County has reached "megafire" status and has become the state's largest fire in 2025. As of Monday afternoon, the blaze has reached 119,214 acres and is 33% contained as more than 4,000 firefighters continue battling flames, according to Cal Fire. The fire burning in the rugged Garcia Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest and is threatening nearly 3,000 structures. The California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5) says the fire is moving north and northwest toward the Huasna Valley and communities including Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita and Carrizo Plains. Overnight, the fire crossed containment lines in the northeast, just south of Machesna Wilderness. The CIIMT 5 says crews will continue to reinforce lines along Avenales Ranch Road, the Salinas River bed, Hi Mountain Road, Caldwell Trout Creek, and the Huasna River. They are also "preparing to launch a 36-hour strategic firing operation," which is set to begin in the evening. Ground and aerial crews hope to reduce vegetation ahead of the main fire. Incident meteorologists will also be monitoring conditions to help provide spot weather forecasts. The fire erupted on Aug. 1 around 3:44 p.m. on Highway 166 near Gifford Trailhead. Firefighters from Los Padres quickly responded to separate fires along the north side of the highway and, within 15 minutes, mapped over 800 acres. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. After burning more than 119,000 acres, the Gifford Fire has reached "mega fire" status. A "mega fire" is defined as a wildfire that burns more than 100,000 acres of land, according to the U.S. Interagency Fire Center. The Gifford Fire has become the largest wildfire in California in 2025, according to Cal Fire. After the Gifford Fire broke out, officials quickly issued evacuation orders and warnings, which were later expanded. Officials urge residents who live within evacuation warning zones to be prepared to leave their homes at a moment's notice, if conditions worsen. Individuals who need extra time to evacuate, such as people with disabilities or those with large animals, should leave immediately. An evacuation center has been established at the New Life Student Center at 941 N. Oak Park Way, Pismo Beach. The American Red Cross is working to provide assistance to those impacted by the fire. They can be reached at 805-678-3073. Several animal shelters have also been established for small and large animals. For large animals: Small/domestic animals, the following locations are available: San Luis Obispo County: SLO County Animal Services - 875 Oklahoma Ave, San Luis Obispo; Please call (805) 781- 4800 for assistance and in advance of arrival so staff can prepare. Santa Barbara County: Several roads remain closed as crews continue to battle the fire and try to increase containment.
