Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Portal Evacuation

Whitney Portal Evacuated
Georges Wildfire
News – 50 min. ago
Due to increased activity on the southern flank of the fire, the Whitney Portal area has been evacuated. This evacuation was done in coordination with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office. This includes campgrounds, residents, and the Whitney Portal Store. The Hogback and Whitney Portal Roads are closed.

Hikers who exit at Whitney Portal that do not have a vehicle may call a shuttle service (see attached) to arrange to be picked up. Shuttle services will only be assisting exiting hikers as conditions permit. Additional road closures include the Foothill Road and Moffat Ranch Road as well as any other roads that enter the fire area. Please avoid the fire area for your safety and for our firefighters’ safety.

been following this, so Sad for the Forest, animals, and the people who are losing their permits. (in case anyone is wondering, no, they will not give you a replacement date).
THANKS to the firefighters and other workers attending to the fire, roads, and evacuation.
So far one report i saw indicated lightning caused so at least is sounds like this is not a human caused fire. Hoping it is contained swiftly.

Thorn,

I think the cause was lightning.

Yesterday I was driving up to the Portal at 1 PM and saw several lightning strikes hit the base of the escarpment in the George Creek area (south of Williamson). Did not think too much of it at the time.

But by sunset Doug Sr stopped by to join me at the Whitney Portal Overlook and we watched all the fires and smoke in that area. The fires were being fought by both forces on the ground and air.

At noon today many cars were parked at the Portal. The Portal Road had been closed to uphill traffic starting at about 5 PM yesterday at the turnoff to Lone Pine Campground. The filled Portal parking area likely reflects the many people up on the Mountain or in the backcountry.

Sounds as if thunder storms likely to continue the next several days.

Jim

yes at least glad to see they say cause is verified as lighting// cant get mad about nature doing its thing, but i will still be sad about the danger to animals and people...
Feel so bad for those people who were planning a once in a lifetime trip or made otherwise complicated and/or expensive plans.. sure there is a lot to see and do in the area for many of us but if you are flying from Europe to climb Whitney this week.. Argh, i am sorry for those folks...
The latest report from Inyo Sheriff is optimistic// Inyo Sheriff facebook page has info. Main concern is the side heading toward the Portal, somewhat terrifying, but could be much worse.. i try to be hopeful in these situations and say they will get it contained well before it reaches Portal Road. from the incident maps i am seeing i am very optimistic the Portal area will be ok.

Scott, do you know if the road is open to the Cottonwood Lakes basin?

AMAZING!! not only is the EVAC lifted, but the NFS is apparently re issuing permits to people who were unable to hike the last couple days... not sure how that works out for the crowds but it's nice there is some relief for those folks and HOORAY the Portal is SAFE!!
ill add a link to the facebook post with the info, if it is not working it is at the inyo national forest FB page...
https://www.facebook.com/inyonf/posts/1801665473247469

I do not believe any closure impacted the road to Cottonwood. Everything is well north of there.