Windy Fire Growth Triggers New Evacuation Orders

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders Friday morning for the following communities in the path of the growing Windy Fire:

Sugar Loaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Village, Saw Mill, McClenney Tract, Sawmill, White River, Idlewild, Posey, Panorama Heights, Poso Park, Balance Rock, and Spear Creek.

The order also covers west King George Peak, south to County M56, including Oak Flat, Twin Peak, to Vincent Ranch at the Tulare-Kern border, east to Portuguese Peak, and back north to Dunlap Meadow. The order continues to include structures, side roads, and any attached roads down to the Tulare County line.

Residents are asked to use Jack Ranch Road through Glenville to reach Porterville.

An evacuation order means there is an immediate threat to life, safety, and property. Residents and visitors must leave immediately before the fire reaches them.

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Porterville College Evacuation Point

See if your address is in an evacuation area at this link.

People needing help to evacuate should call 9-1-1.

The temporary evacuation point is at Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave. Individuals with RVs/Trailers can park at the college, or go to the International Agri-Center, 4500 W. Laspina, in Tulare, Gate D, and dry camp there.

Help With Evacuating Pets, Livestock

Officials ask that people take their pets and animals with them. If you are unable to take the animals, call Tulare County Animal Shelter Manager Cassandra Heffington at (559) 679-6222.

Anyone needing help with evacuating their animals from the Windy and KNP Complex fires can seek assistance at this link.

Windy Fire Update

The Windy Fire grew to 56,802 acres and containment slipped to 5%, fire officials said on Friday afternoon.

The fire is burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in the Sequoia National Forest, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

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KNP Complex Update

This Sequoia National Park fire had grown to 36,850 acres as of Friday morning and containment remains at 0%.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the wildfire’s growth mainly is in the Ash Mountain area.

More than 1,600 personnel are on hand. The effort to suppress the fire includes 49 crews,  58 engines, 35 water tenders, and 21 helicopters.

Both Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks remain closed. In addition, the BLM Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and major parts of Sequoia National Forest are shuttered.

There is a Red Cross evacuation center at the Woodlake Community Center, 145 Magnolia St.

Ben Grunwald watches a control burn at a fire line to help protect the General Sherman area of Sequoia National Park, on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)