Bear Valley, CA…The Donnell Fire, currently at 36,335 acres, exhibited moderate fire behavior yesterday with isolated torching, creeping along the forest floor, and minimal fire spread through spotting especially on the northern and eastern sides of the fire. The potential exists for minimal spread to the north and east along the Highlands Creek, Arnot Creek, and Disaster Creek drainages via spotting. While large fire growth is not expected, this area of the fire, with steep, remote terrain, will continue to be the main focus for firefighters as the rest of the fire line is holding well. Crews on other parts of the fire will continue to secure, strengthen and monitor existing containment lines.

Firefighters, in coordination with Resource Advisors, are also working to repair the natural resources affected by fire suppression activities throughout the fire area. Resource Advisors assigned to the fire provide professional knowledge and expertise for the protection of natural, cultural, and other resources within the fire area. They will identify and implement fire suppression repair which is a series of immediate actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from firefighting activities such as the development of hand and machine-built firelines.

Overall, firefighters have made good progress with securing and strengthening the fire perimeter and lowering the fire threat to the point that personnel and resources are being drawn down and released to other fires or back to their home units. “Backhaul” or removal of equipment and resources used to combat the fire has begun and will accelerate in the next few days as the fire perimeter is secured. Given current and expected progress on the fire this week, a local Type 3 incident management organization will transition with the current team and assume command of the fire Saturday evening, September 1, 2018.

Forest Closure Area: The forest area impacted by the fire remains closed. This includes all residences and campgrounds along Eagle Meadow Road (5N01), the Highway 108 corridor, and the Clark Fork Road area. Property owners may obtain permits for access through the Summit Ranger District. Spicer Reservoir is closed but the campgrounds remain open. Highland Lakes Road is open to Tryon Meadow only – Highland Lakes Campground and Trailhead are closed. Please check Fire Closure Order STF-16-2018-011 on the Stanislaus National Forest Webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alert/stanislaus/alerts-notices.

Trail Closures: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Highway 108 and Highway 4. However the order opened Highland Lakes Road (Forest Service Road 8N01) to Tryon Meadow only. Pacific Valley Campground is open but the trails at the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness boundary are closed.

OPEN: Highway 108 for through traffic only – please do not stop while we continue to work between Eagle Meadow Road (5N01) and Sonora Pass. Kennedy Meadows Resort, Baker Campground, and Deadman Campground are open. Bull Run Lake and the 19E02 trail leading to it are open.

For more information about the Stanislaus National Forest, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus