What is the name and location of the wildfire?

The Redwood Fire is burning in the wilderness of Sequoia National Park, California near Redwood Meadow. Sequoia National Park is within the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

As of September 15, 2023, the Redwood Fire is being actively managed with a focus on both fire containment and ecological benefits (1). The fire is considered a less immediate threat to communities compared to previous wildfires in the region, though poor air quality is affecting some cities.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

• Sequoia National Park: The wildfire is primarily within the boundaries of Sequoia National Park, in particular in Redwood Meadow.
• Giant Forest: Smoke impacts from the fire are visible in the Giant Forest area within the park.
• Three Rivers: Elevated concentrations in the unhealthy range have been experienced in nearby Three Rivers.

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

As of September 15, the Redwood Fire is assessed at 650 acres in size.

Firefighters have been conducting aerial and hand ignitions to manage the fire. The fire management team is implementing a "confine and contain strategy" to suppress the fire within a larger footprint, utilizing natural and manmade barriers. This strategy aims to reduce smoke duration, mitigate risks, and still maintain the ecological benefits of controlled burns. The containment area is approximately 3,000 acres.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

There are no specific evacuation orders or alerts. The fire is described as burning at low intensity and posing no threats to life or property, and smoke impacts are being mitigated as much as possible.

Visitor areas of the park have been largely kept open (2)(3).

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.