Pier Fire
{{Short description|2017 wildfire in Central California}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox wildfire
| title = Pier Fire
| image = 2017 08 30-10.46.55.138-CDT.jpg
| caption = Pier Fire on the evening of August 29, 2017
| cost =
| injuries = 5
| fatalities =
| date = {{Unbulleted list|{{Start date|2017|08|29}} – |{{End date|2017|11|29}}}}
| location = Sequoia National Forest, California, United States
Springville, California, United States
| coordinates = {{coord|36.159|-118.696|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = USA California
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of fire in California.
| area = {{Convert|36,556|acre|km2|0}}
| buildings =
| cause = Human caused
| landuse =
| perps =
| motive =
}}
The Pier Fire was a wildfire that burned near Springville and in the Sequoia National Forest, in California in the United States. The fire was reported on August 29, 2017. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be human-caused. The fire was completely extinguished on November 29, after it had burned {{Convert|36,556|acre|km2|0}}. The fire threatened old growth sequoia trees, the Tule River Indian Reservation, and many small communities in the area.
Progression
The Pier Fire was first reported on August 29 at 2:30 AM. The fire was spotted in the Tule River Canyon just north of Springville, California (reportedly, the fire was started by an individual or individuals who had stolen a car, set it on fire and pushed it into a ravine, which then caught fire. Since the site where the fire started was in a national forest, federal authorities along with state authorities are investigating). By the end of the day the fire had burned {{Convert|1650|acre|km2|0}} north and south of Highway 190 in Giant Sequoia National Monument in Sequoia National Forest. This led to numerous mandatory evacuations in the area and the closure of Highway 190 in select areas.{{cite web|title=Wildfire in Tule River Canyon|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/39388/|website=Pier Fire News Release|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=6 September 2017}}{{cite web|title=Pier Fire Continues to Grow in Tule River Canyon|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/39550/|website=InciWeb|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=6 September 2017}}
By August 30, the fire had grown to {{Convert|4655|acre|km2|0}} and threatened the Tule River Reservation and two groves of sequoia trees: Mountain Home Grove and Black Mountain Grove. Crews had limited access to the fire due to the steep slopes, heavy fuels and limited roads. Highway 190 remained closed in some sections and Balch Park and Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest were both closed.{{cite web|title=Pier Fire Continues to Grow in Tule River Canyon|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/39551/|website=InciWeb|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=6 September 2017}}
On September 1, the fire grew to {{Convert|10311|acre|km2|0}}. The fire jumped Highway 190 and the middle fork of the Tule River, nearing campgrounds. Additional crews were recruited due to the overwhelming nature of the fire, including CAL FIRE and Tulare County crews, totaling 1,243 individuals. More residents, specifically those residing on Balch Park and Bear Creek Roads were evacuated.{{cite web|title=Pier Fire Update Sept 2 9 am|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/39776/|website=InciWeb|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=6 September 2017}}
California Assemblyman Devon Mathis visited the incident command post for a site visit on September 2. That day, the fire had grown by approximately 4,000 acres, driven by dry fuels rather than the previous nights winds.{{cite web|title=Pier Fire Update September 3 9 am|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/39872/|website=InciWeb|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=6 September 2017}} On September 3, a Southern California Edison flume was destroyed in the fire, costing an estimated $3-$5 million to replace. Additionally, Southern California Edison also lost a valve house, six distribution poles and a transmission structure.{{cite web|last1=Romero|first1=Sheyanne N.|title=Springville fire grows to 20,000 acres, 15% contained|url=http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2017/09/05/springville-fire-grows-20-000-acres-15-contained/632815001/|website=Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register|access-date=6 September 2017|language=en}}{{cite web|last1=Panoo|first1=Ashleigh|title=Pier Fire sees slow growth; 10% contained|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article171243117.html|website=fresnobee|access-date=6 September 2017|language=en}}
By September 11, the fire was declared to be 60% contained and at {{Convert|27586|acre|km2|0}}. Evacuation status of Cow Mountain, Springville and Upper Rio Vista was downgraded to voluntary. Crews successfully controlled fires on the Tule River Tribe of the Tule River Reservation. On the evening of September 14, mandatory evacuations for the communities of Alpine Village, Camp Nelson, Cedar Slope, Doyle Springs, Mountain Aire, Rogers Camp, Pierpoint Springs, Sequoia Crest and Wishon were downgraded to voluntary.{{cite web|title=Officials Downgrade Evac Orders for Communities Impacted by the Pier Fire|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5548/40960/|website=InciWeb|publisher=Sequoia National Forest, U.S. Forest Service|access-date=14 September 2017}}
IN mid-September 2017, fire crews were finishing up containment of spot fires near Pine Flat Road and will proceed to initiate firing operations and hand lines in Soda Springs on the Tule River Reservation, including structure protection.
On September 24, the Pier Fire's perimeter was 100% contained, with a total burn area of {{convert|36,556|acre|km2|0}}. However, hot spots continued with burn within the fire perimeter for another couple of months, until they were extinguished by rainfall from a winter storm on November 29.
Effects
= Evacuations and closures =
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{California wildfires by year}}
Category:2017 California wildfires
Category:History of Tulare County, California
Category:Wildfires in Tulare County, California