Sentinel Fire (Wildfire)

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Calif. September 9, 2016 – The Sentinel Fire, caused by a lightning strike, was discovered on August 19th, high on Sentinel Ridge within the Sheep Creek drainage. The fire is located south of Cedar Grove in the mountains above 9,000’ elevation. Currently, the fire is 12 acres in size, and is being managed for wilderness benefit. Fire is a natural process in the Sierra Nevada. An understory burn, which clears out dead and down fuel to maintain forest health, is a desirable action in a wilderness environment, especially in the Sentinel Fire’s current elevation and fuel-type. If conditions change, any actions taken will use minimally invasive suppression tactics to ensure that wilderness character is maintained. The fire has been slowly increasing in size, and is smoldering and creeping in the duff and among some larger downed logs. Flame lengths are 1 -2 feet with low intensity. There are no threats to trails, structures, or people at this time. The…