This a.m. I received this email about the Rough Fire:

Friends and neighbors:

Per the NPS this morning:

At 0600 we are instituting a closure of the the Grant Grove area with a barricade at the Wye.  This will be followed by an Evacuation Order going out to all residents and guests. The IMT will staff the barricade and they will NOT be allowing anyone other than Fire personnel to enter.

Park officials remain confident that the prescribed burns completed over the last 10-15 years which provide a protective “donut” around Wilsonia and Grant Grove will slow or stop the spread of the fire in the event that it approaches the area from the northern or western boundary of the park.

As mentioned in the last update, the fire moved around Hoist Ridge at the Kings River. The fire has since progressed up the Verplank drainage, and is, according to the 9-9 operation map, between 3 to 4 miles NW of the General Grant tree. Existing contingency lines are being reinforced, and new ones are being developed.

The latest reports state:

West of Hoist Ridge the fire will remain active. Air tankers will provide aerial drops of water and retardant to slow the fire’s advance.

In area north of Sequoia Lake, crews will scout and access potential location to extend the fireline between the Chicago Stump area and Highway 180.

Crews will continue to improve the contingency line along McKenzie Ridge north to the Kings River.

Neal Mixter