Margie Clack
US Forest Service

LAKE ISABELLA, CA … The 37,026-acre Piute Fire is 100% contained, fire officials announced today. The fire has been burning in the Sequoia National Forest (SQF) and on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands, since igniting June 28. The fire was first reported north of Kern County Fire Station 78 in the vicinity of Piute Mountain Road. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Piute Fire will be in a patrol status with firefighters monitoring for any interior flare-ups and/or hot spots. With warmer and drier weather expected, the potential for smoke being visible from nearby communities is possible and firefighters will remain alert and initiate suppression action. Due to this possibility, officials have not declared the fire to be “fully controlled” until late August. The Piute Fire Area Closure initiated by SQF and BLM officials on July 1, will remain in effect until further notice. A Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) is completing their assessment of hazards, fire impacts, and any potential threats to life and property. Their report is expected to be complete next week and will include a burn severity map, along with recommendations for possible treatments on federal lands to reduce the threat of future resource damage.

In addition, all road closures will remain in effect until more evaluations are conducted. In the Piute Mountains, only residents and property owners are allowed to return to the area. Other road closures include McCray and Fawn Drive from the end of the pavement south, Piute Mountain Road at Caliente Creek Jawbone Road south of Piute Mountain Road, roads 29S02 and 29S03, and Erskine Creek road at the end of the pavement.

During the Piute Fire, heavy thunderstorm activity over a 3-4 day period, caused flash flooding, debris and mudflows that threatened several communities, causing evacuations and some road closures including Lake Isabella Blvd. The “Piute Fire/Flash Flood Phone Bank” was activated through the offices of Kern County Supervisors’ Jon McQuiston and Supervisor Maben, to assist residents affected by these events.

Six residence and 45 outbuildings were destroyed or damaged during the fire. Four firefighters sustained minor injuries. The estimated cost to contain the Piute Fire is $24.5 million.