Lion Wildfire Update Aug. 26

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For Immediate Release
August 26, 2011
Contact: Denise Alonzo, 559-539-2607 ext. 212 or dalonzo@fs.fed.us

TRAILS TO MAGGIE AND COYOTE LAKES REOPEN
The Lion Wildland Fire, burning in the backcountry of Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia
National Park has reached approximately 20,500 acres since being ignited by lightning on July
8th. Fire officials have reopened two trails in the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Sequoia
National Forest for hikers, but the Lion Fire area closure is expected to remain in place through
mid September.

The two trails that have reopened are Trail 31E14 accessing Maggie Lakes, and Trail 32E05
accessing Coyote Lakes. Trail closures in the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are still
in effect where Trail 31E14 crosses into the southern part of Sequoia National Park near Sheep
Mountain. Travel north of the Forest/Park boundary is prohibited.

Travelers need to stay on the trail for their safety. There are still hot spots smoldering in the
burned area, trees that may fall having been weakened by fire, and rolling debris loosened from
burned vegetation.

The Lion Fire is 95% contained by rocky ridges, areas with little or no fuel, previous wildland
fires, rivers, creeks, existing trails, or fire line cut through surface fuels. There is no estimate for
when the fire will be fully contained within this pre-determined perimeter.
Area closures remain in effect in Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia National Park. Visit
http://inciweb.org/incident2400/ for maps of the closures. Anyone planning to travel into the
Forest’s Wilderness is asked to contact the Western Divide Ranger District at 559-539-2607
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For those planning wilderness travels in the southern area of
Sequoia National Park, call 559-565-3766.