Basin Fire growth is slowing but containment remains low

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Evacuation orders remain in place as the Basin Fire continues to spread in the Sierra National Forest.

Fire officials say the cause of the Basin Fire remains under investigation; while many wildfires in the area have been started by lightning, there is still no substantial evidence to suggest the Basin Fire was lightning caused too.

As of Monday afternoon , the Basin Fire had burned 13,166 acres.

U.S. Forest Service officials say the fire is burning primarily in dry, dense grass within the Rough Fire scar from 2015 . While officials have seen some growth along the northwest and eastern edges of the fire, they say the rate of growth is slowing.

According to fire officials, additional personnel and equipment continue to arrive daily to support firefighting operations on the Basin Fire, including:

• Crews improving roads east of Sacate Ridge to gain access to the northwest corner of the fire, which will be the highest priority for aircraft support,
• Structure protection crews who are working in the Balch Camp area to protect energy infrastructure, and bulldozers are continuing their work constructing a fuel break to the west and northwest of the fire,
• Hotshot crews who will be inserted on the northern edge of the fire near Rodger’s Ridge and will be supported by aircraft.

Firefighters are also aware of the expected warmer weather forecast between July 2 and July 6.

According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office , evacuation orders are in place for zones K41 and K166.

There is an evacuation warning for Fresno County zones K61, K76, K29, K30, K31 and K40.

A live map from Fresno County showing the evacuation orders can be viewed below:

According to Cal OES , an evacuation warning means there is an impending danger to your life or property. An evacuation order means there’s an immediate threat to your life and you need to leave right now.

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