Basin Fire is the 3rd-largest wildfire this season in California.
Latest update
On June 24th, 2024 the High Sierra Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest, was in the path of a lightning storm that created 18 fires. An additional fire, and by far the largest, is the Basin Fire which was detected, June 26th, 2024. The fire traveled in a northeast direction toward Black Rock at a rapid rate.
Air resources from the surrounding 18 fires on the High Sierra Ranger District were reassigned to the Basin Fire. Aircraft was utilized to slow the rate of spread. The cause of the Basin Fire is currently under investigation.
Over a hundred firefighters responded to the Basin Fire. Hot Shots, hand crews, dozers, and engines focused on point protection for structures in the Balch Camp area. Resource orders were placed to mobilize more forces, to not only focus on the initial attack of the Basin Fire, but to also continue suppressing the 18 other fires that are on the district.
The fire is at 2000-4500 feet elevation, northeast of Pine Flat Lake, west of the Spanish Mountain, south of Black Rock Rd (11S012) and north of the South Fork of the Kings River.