+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service      | Sequoia & Kings  |   | 47050 Generals    |
|                            | Canyon National  |   | Highway           |
| U.S. Department of the     | Parks            |   |                   |
| Interior                   |                  |   | Three Rivers, CA  |
|                            | Use the complete |   | 93271             |
|                            | site name here   |   |                   |
|                            | (e.g. Palo Alto  |   | 559 565-3341      |
|                            | Battlefield      |   | phone             |
|                            | Historic Site).  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 559 565-3730 fax  |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks** Fire Update

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Immediate Release -- August 2, 2007

Deb Schweizer (559) 565-3703

### 

### Josephine Fire Detected in Kings Canyon National Park

Fire managers detected a new fire in Kings Canyon National Park
wilderness on Tuesday, July 31^st^.

The *Josephine Fire* is due west of Josephine Lakes on the east side of
Deadman Canyon. It is approximately one-tenth of an acre in size and
burning in a single foxtail pine at 11,000 feet in elevation. It has low
potential for growth because it is surrounded by granite barriers.

This is the fifth lightning-ignited fire discovered in Sequoia & Kings
Canyon National Parks. All are being, or have been, managed for resource
benefit since the fires pose little threat to life or property.

-   The *Willow Fire* (discovered 7/21/07) is currently 106 acres. It is
    located two miles southwest of Big Arroyo in the southern part of
    Sequoia National Park and is burning in foxtail pine above 10,000
    feet in elevation. Fire behavior decreased after the storm on July
    24^th^ brought rain---however this fire still has potential for
    growth as the fuels dry.

-   The *Sphinx Fire* (discovered on 7/6/07) is two acres and has been
    placed in inactive status. It is at 11,000 feet in elevation and is
    northwest of Mt. Brewer, near Sphinx Lakes, in Kings Canyon National
    Park.

-   The *Lost Canyon Fire* (discovered on 7/6/07) has been declared out.

-   The *Claire Fire* (discovered 7/16/07) has been declared out.

Fire has been part of the natural system of Sequoia & Kings Canyon
National Parks for thousands of years. Fire maintains a variety of
habitats, recycles nutrients into the soil, and keeps dead vegetation
from accumulating.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have experienced a quiet wildland
fire season so far. This has allowed the parks' fire resources to assist
on other wildland fires throughout the west including Southern
California and the Great Basin. This sharing of fire resources helps
ensure that outside resources are available to the parks when needed.

> **\-- www.nps.gov/seki/fire/fireinfo/current.htm \--**