Update: Columbia Aircraft Continue To Aid In Battling Inyo National Forest Fire

Update at 10:30 a.m.: Tuolumne County residents will continue to hear  Columbia aircraft flying overhead all day, according to Cal Fire dispatch. Named the “Owen River Fire.” It is burning north of the Owens River Road area near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395. The acreage has grown to 4,500. However, crews are making progress with 10 percent containment made overnight. U.S. Forest officials report the flames are burning in sagebrush and Jeffery Pine with active fire behavior, including running, group torching, and short-range spotting.

Some nearby homes and ranches threatened, and the Big Springs Campground has been evacuated. The fire broke out yesterday afternoon. What sparked the blaze is under investigation.

Original post Sat. Sept. 17 at 8:15 p.m.: Inyo National Forest, CA — You may have noticed several aircraft flying over Tuolumne County this afternoon heading to a vegetation fire out of the area.

The US Forest Service reports that a 500-plus acre fire is burning in the Inyo National Forest. The Fire is burning north of the Owens River Road area near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395. Smoke is highly visible in communities like Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake and Lee Vining. There are some nearby homes and ranches threatened, and the Big Springs Campground has been evacuated. What ignited the fire remains under investigation.