Garnet Fire Surges Across Sierra National Forest, Threatens McKinley Grove

Lead The Garnet Fire exploded across Dinkey Creek today in Sierra National Forest, consuming roughly 20 square miles and pushing toward McKinley Grove and Camp Fresno amid challenging terrain and dry fuels.

Nut Graf Driven by long-range spotting and heavy drought-induced fuel loads, the blaze’s rapid growth underscores mounting wildfire risks in the central Sierra. Fire managers are scrambling to bolster containment lines and safeguard historic groves as crews leverage aerial and ground resources.

Growth and Behavior

  • Early this morning, flames surged out of the Dinkey Creek drainage, reversing slope and racing upslope toward Oak Flat Campground, expanding the perimeter by about 20 square miles over 12 hours.
  • Extreme fuel loading from drought-killed timber and lack of recent fire history fueled dynamic runs, with embers spotting up to a mile ahead of the main front.

Containment Efforts

  • Crews are fortifying a contingency line along McKinley Grove Road, which, despite a week of preparation, faces overwhelming headfire pressure and steep, inaccessible slopes.
  • Infrared mapping flights have confirmed the fire has not yet breached the newly built line, offering a critical window for mop-up and hand-line construction.

Aerial and Ground Operations

  • Helicopter crews staged at Reedley Helibase continue water-dropping missions using Bell 205s, each carrying 320 gallons per sortie, while ground crews dig line and conduct burnout operations along forest roads.
  • Incident meteorologists warn of potential thunderstorms with lightning, which could further exacerbate fire behavior if dry lightning occurs.

Evacuations and Public Safety

  • Evacuation orders remain in effect for zones K27-K32 and K40 along the fire’s northwestern edge, while warnings persist for adjacent zones K32B, K41, K61A, K74, K85, K160 and K166.
  • Shaver Lake Community Center is open for public information, and residents are urged to monitor local air quality advisories due to heavy smoke inversions.

Environmental and Cultural Impact

  • The fire’s southern edge skirts McKinley Grove, home to century-old sequoias, raising concerns about irreparable ecological loss if flames breach containment lines.
  • Tribal and environmental groups warn that sacred sites and old-growth stands may face severe damage without timely fireline success.