Fire crews made strong progress battling the Silver fire in Inyo County on Monday, halting forward progress of the blaze, which continues to threaten some of the oldest trees in the world.
Crews started the day at 0% containment and reached 47% containment by 7 p.m., by which time the fire had scorched some 1,589 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Evacuation orders remained in effect in Inyo and Mono counties as firefighters prepared to spend the night bolstering containment lines and monitoring for hot spots, according to Cal Fire.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the oldest trees in the world, is in the White Mountains, about 20 miles east of Bishop, and is threatened by the fire, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Chloe Castillo. So far, none have been destroyed in the blaze.
Some of these trees are more than 4,000 years old and still growing, dating to the Bronze Age. The forest includes the Methuselah Tree, which may be the oldest living organism on Earth. In an effort to protect the tree, the U.S. Forest Service does not disclose its exact location.
The vegetation-fueled blaze was first reported at 2:11 p.m. Sunday at Highway 6 and Silver Canyon Road north of Bishop, according to Cal Fire.
The fire then jumped the highway and was threatening “multiple structures,” Cal Fire BDU said in a post on X.
Evacuation orders were issued for the communities of Laws in Inyo County, Chalfant in Mono County and the White Mountain Estates neighborhood, according to Cal Fire.
In a Monday evening update, Cal Fire said that “evacuation orders and warnings remain in place as threats persist to structures, critical infrastructure, endangered species, watersheds, and cultural and heritage resources.”
Air and ground resources were significantly increased to support suppression efforts Monday. However, strong winds — gusting up to 35 mph at Bishop Airport — continued to create challenges, grounding some firefighting aircraft and complicating containment operations.
The fire intensified overnight Sunday into Monday because of the terrain and strong winds, Cal Fire said. The National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning through 9 p.m. Monday. Southwest winds were forecast to range from 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph.
The fire saw moderate growth on Monday, expanding some 340 acres before crews successfully halted forward progress.
More favorable conditions were expected over Monday night and into Tuesday morning, with winds easing and humidity rising, according to the National Weather Service.
Highway 6 northbound and southbound was temporarily closed but reopened at 6:40 a.m. Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
“Please be aware this is still an active fire zone with first responders and their equipment moving throughout the area,” the CHP said in a post. “Stay safe.”
Officials established an evacuation center at Bishop Senior Center, at 682 Spruce St., with animal evacuations at TriCounty Fair Grounds, 475 Sierra St. in Bishop, according to Cal Fire.
Times staff writer Seema Mehta contributed to this report.
