KNP Complex Fire closes in on 9,000 acres

The KNP Complex Fire, currently threatening some of the world’s oldest and biggest trees in Sequoia National Park, had burned 8,940 acres through Wednesday night, according to the U.S. National Forest Service. Of that total, 7,257 acres have been associated with the Paradise Fire, one of two blazes along with the Colony Fire that comprises the KNP Complex.

The Paradise Fire is moving toward the Colony Fire but still had not jumped the general highway that runs through the park, national forest spokesman Mark Ruggiero said Thursday morning. He added that crews are anticipating the blaze will eventually leap the highway.

An evacuation order remained in effect for part the Three Rivers community in Tulare County, including all of Mineral King Road and Highway 198 from the from Mineral King Road to the park entrance.

Here is the latest information on the other three major wildfires in Northern California.

Dixie Fire

The second largest wildfire in state history was at 960,583 Thursday morning and has now been burning for nine weeks. The fire has rumbled through parts of Butte, Tehama, Plumas, Lassen and Shasta counties and is 86% contained. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the U.S. National Forest Service and Lassen National Forest are now overseeing the blaze, and that parts of Highway 44 that were closed because of the blaze have been opened.

There is no estimate for when the fire will be out. Only one California wildfire — last year’s August Complex blaze — has ever burned 1 million acres.

Caldor Fire

The blaze in El Dorado County did not grow overnight and remained at 219,267 acres Thursday morning, Cal Fire said. It is 71% contained, and Cal Fire estimates full containment will be reached on Sept. 27. The fire has destroyed 782 residences and 18 commercial properties. According to Cal Fire, crews on the East Zone of the blaze improved and secured more contained sections of the fire line and took advantage of cool, moderately humid weather overnight.

Hopkins Fire

The Hopkins Fire in Mendocino County has burned 257 acres and is almost fully contained at 95%. Residents who were asked to evacuate because of that blaze have started to return home, according to Cal Fire.