Rough Fire now largest blaze in Fresno County's recorded history

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. -- The Rough Fire has grown to more than 138,000 acres and is 40 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The blaze is now the largest in Fresno County's recorded history.

The flames have forced dozens of families in Dunlap from their homes. On Saturday, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation warnings for the area along Hopewell Road north of Highway 180 and east to the Sequoia National Forest boundary.

Vehicle access into Kings Canyon National Park is not allowed, and campgrounds there are closed until further notice.

Rough Fire Information

Size: 138,053 Acres

Containment: 40 percent

Total Personnel: 3,229

Total acreage increased to 138,053 acres and is currently the largest active fire in California. There are 3,229 personnel currently assigned to the Rough Fire. Containment remains 40%. Rough Fire Information: West Zone (925) 519-6303; South Zone (559) 332-2028 and (559) 549-4837; and North Zone (559) 842-6248.

Sequoia National Park remains open and visitors can still use the Ash Mountain Entrance Station. Vehicles longer than 22 feet (including trailers) are not advised between Potwisha and Giant Forest Museum.

Forest officials have been forced to close the Hume Lake Ranger District. This includes Forest Service managed land from the southeast side of Pine Flat Reservoir to the boundaries of Kings Canyon National Park, and the Eshom area north of Badger. A closure map can be found on the Sequoia National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia/ This closure is expected to continue until the Rough Fire has been brought under control.

Air Quality Today: Heavy concentrations of smoke are expected near the fire and to the west foothills today. Smoke will be slow to lift and transport will be primarily terrain and diurnally driven. Limited ventilation is forecast for today with continued increased impacts expected in the San Joaquin Valley west and northwest of fire. Unhealthy to Hazardous conditions are expected in the foothill communities west and northwest of the fire. Conditions improve in the Owens Valley.

Air Quality Tomorrow: A more south to southwest wind will begin to alleviate smoke impacts in the San Joaquin Valley. More smoke will impact the northern portion of the Owens Valley.

Weather Concerns: A weak disturbance off the coast will bring slightly increased cloud cover to the area. A gradual cooling trend will continue through Wednesday, with slowly rising relative humidity values. Fair relative humidity recovery tonight. Winds will remain terrain and diurnally driven. Inversion and thermal belt will form overnight, but not as strong as recent nights, trapping smoke. Highs in the upper 70s to near 90. Relative humidity values in the upper teens to lower 30s.

Click here to view Daily Air Quality Forecast

MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office and fire officials would like to clarify the guidelines of the current evacuation situation.

Residents who have a Dunlap, Miramonte, or Pinehurst zip code must understand they are considered to be in either a mandatory evacuation area or an evacuation warning area.

Mandatory Evacuation Areas

- All properties on the north and south sides of Highway 180 east of the Highway 180/Dunlap Road junction.

- All properties adjacent to the north side of Dunlap Road from the Highway 180/Dunlap Road junction to the Dunlap Road/Millwood Road Junction.

- All properties on both sides of Millwood Road.

- All properties on both sides of Todd Eymann Road from Millwood Road to Highway 245.

- All properties on both sides of Highway 245 from Todd Eymann Road to Highway 180.

Evacuation Warning Areas

- All properties on the south side of Dunlap Road from the Highway 180/Dunlap Road junction east to the Dunlap Road/Millwood Road junction

- All properties on both sides of Dunlap Road from the Dunlap Road/Millwood Road junction east to the Dunlap Road/Highway 245 junction.

- All properties on both sides of Brookside Road. Evacuation Areas Impacted by Rough Fire

Definitions of Fire Terms

An evacuation warning is defined as an alert to community members in an area of a potential threat to life and property from an emergency incident. An evacuation warning may be issued when the potential or actual threat to civilian life is more than 2 hours away. When a warning is issued, residents are being warned to prepare to leave their home. The Sheriff's Office tries to issue the advisory as early as possible based upon the fire's activity so residents will have time to remove their pets, livestock, large boats, RV's and any other personal effects in an orderly, unrushed manner. However, because a wildfire can be unpredictable, the time frame between an advisory and a mandatory evacuation can change quickly. You must be prepared to go at any time.

A mandatory evacuation is declared when a wildfire directly threatens a community and residents are placed in danger. You must leave the area for you and your family's safety. Once you leave, you will not be allowed to return to your property until the mandatory evacuation is lifted.

EVACUATION CENTER

The Red Cross closed its evacuation shelter at the Sanger Community Center at 5 p.m. Sunday. Any evacuees needing disaster relief services can call the local Red Cross office at (559)455-1000 for assistance.

Evacuation Map - Evacuations are along the blue line. Authorities are starting at Millwood Road and moving east.

Rough Fire Progression Map