UPDATE: Sept. 21 9:34 p.m.: The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) shared a news release via Facebook regarding its planned firing operation in the Burrough Mountain Area. This is an area located in the south west portion of the Creek Fire. 

This operation took place today at 3 p.m. and was conducted via helicopter. The goal was to consume any unburned fuel in the Burrough Mountain Area to strengthen containment lines. 

The release said that this decision was made after, “…extensive and ongoing review and research of things like location, weather, vegetation types, and burn history, among other factors.”

The Creek Fire has reached a total of 280,425 acres and is now at 30% containment, with a total of 3,181 personnel on site.  

The USFS reported that 95% of affected structures have been inspected by the Damage Assessment Team and that as evaluations continue, debris and roads will be made clear and safe to travel. 

Residents are being asked to remain cautious when re-entering these areas due to fire damaged trees and hot coals present underneath the deep ash. 

The Creek Fire team once again urged residents to refrain from flying drones because this will result in grounding all firefighting aircraft.

In Fresno County, various evacuation warnings have been lifted and an announcement of road closures that began on Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. were listed in another news release. 

The list of these evacuation lifts and road closures can be found here.

As for Madera County, firefighting crews remain on guard for potential fire activity in Mammoth Lakes. 

It was reported by the USFS that the fire perimeter in the northeast is still 12 to 13 miles west of the town. 

Although there was not an incident briefing tonight, one will occur tomorrow, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. for an update regarding Mono County and Mammoth Lakes.