BLM Bakersfield issues emergency closure of Case Mountain due to wildland fire danger
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing an emergency closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area, including the Kaweah Area of Critical Environmental Concern and the Milk Ranch Peak Wilderness Study Area, near the town of Three Rivers in Tulare County. This temporary closure is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice, due to wildland fire danger from the nearby KNP Complex Fire.
The KNP Complex Fire, which is comprised of the Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire, was ignited by lightning on Sept. 10, and has burned 5,861 acres of timber and chaparral with 0 percent containment in very rugged terrain within the Sequoia National Park. Monitor fire activity at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7838/. For questions on the fire, please call 559-565-3704.
Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect. The public is strongly advised to follow evacuation guidance. Have a full tank of gas; gather important documents, medications and family photographs, so you can leave when necessary. No structure is worth risking human life.
The Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area encompasses approximately 20,000 acres of public land and contains the only Giant Sequoia grove complex managed by the BLM. The recreation area is closed to all forms of public access. This closure is for public and wildland firefighter safety in relation to the KNP Complex Fire and management of that incident. For specific questions on the Case Mountain closure, please contact the Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.