Wildfire Wreaks Havoc in Mono County: A Race Against Time

A wildfire, now known as the Pack fire, erupted near Crowley Lake in Mono County on a Thursday afternoon. It quickly grew to a massive 1,000 acres, putting homes in the McGee Trailer Park at risk.

Rapid Spread and Evacuations

The fire started near McGee Creek Road, just west of Highway 395, around 12:30 p.m., as reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

• Alarming Growth: In just an hour, the fire grew from a small three acres to a massive 1,000 acres.
• Evacuations: The rapid spread led to evacuations in the Crowley Lake area.
• Strong Winds: The situation was worsened by strong winds, blowing at 12 to 16 mph with gusts up to 24 mph. These winds grounded firefighting aircraft, making it harder to control the blaze.

Impact on Homes and Roads

• Homes at Risk: Around 10 to 20 homes in the McGee Trailer Park were in danger.
• Road Closures: To keep people safe, Highway 395 was closed from Tom’s Place to Benton Crossing Road. Drivers were advised to use Highway 6 in Bishop as a detour.

Evacuation Centers

Evacuation centers were set up at:

• Mammoth Middle School in Mammoth Lakes
• Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop

These centers provided a safe place for those affected by the fire.

Weather Conditions and Firefighting Efforts

• Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm warning was in effect for Mono County from 1 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday.
• Rain and Snow: The National Weather Service predicted rain and possibly snow, which could help firefighters.
• Strong Winds: However, strong winds were also expected, with gusts up to 70 mph at the highest peaks and up to 50 mph below 8,000 feet. The Pack fire was burning at around 7,000 feet, so the weather was a double-edged sword.