Three Rivers business keeps ‘business as usual’ as Coffee Pot Fire grows

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is ordering some in Three Rivers to evacuate immediately.

The Coffee Pot Fire has burned more than 4,500 acres, increasing by 874 acres in 24 hours.

The sheriff’s office posted to Facebook Wednesday, ordering those north of South Fork Drive, east of Skyline Drive, south of Skyline Drive, and west of the national park boundary to evacuate immediately.

Ashley Ritchie with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office says that the order only impacts around 18 properties.

However, she says these fires can spread quickly and everyone in the area should prepare to evacuate if the fire pushes into residential areas.

“Right now it is at 0% containment, but we’re hoping that firefighters can get a quick handle on it so that it doesn’t spread more,” Ritchie said.

She says deputies are knocking on every door in the evacuation area, making sure residents know to leave.

Molly Dunn runs Silver City Mountain Resort in Three Rivers, near the evacuation area.

She is already fielding calls of people asking if they can still visit Labor Day weekend.

“People see the fire and they’re worried about the smoke, worried about danger to themselves… For us, it’s business as usual until we’re told otherwise,” Dunn said.

Although the resort is not within the evacuation area, she warns those with breathing trouble that the smoke in the air is growing thicker.

The resort had to evacuate in 2021, so Dunn says she has a structured plan in place if the flames move in their direction.

“Obviously, the highest priority is making sure the guests are aware of what is going on and calmly getting them off the mountain. And then, from there, we secure infrastructure first. So turning off propane lines, draining water, anything that might cause more damage to the resort,” Dunn said.

She says they’ll continue to welcome guests unless they have to leave.

In the meantime, she says there are still plenty of beautiful, accessible trails to visit this holiday weekend.

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