Where is Garnet Fire burning in Central California? See interactive map
The Garnet Fire has scorched nearly 60,000 acres of the Sierra Nevada in central California.
The wildfire burning in the mountains northeast of Fresno was 85% contained as of Tuesday, Sept. 16, after burning through 59,844 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Where is the blaze burning? Where are evacuations and which roads have been closed?
Here’s what you need to know:
Where is the Garnet Fire burning in Central California?
The Garnet Fire sparked from a lightning strike on Aug. 24 burned through parts of the Sierra National Forest in eastern Fresno County. It raged through an area from the Kings River at the southern edge to McKinley Grove, west from Fence Meadow past Black Rock Reservoir in the east, the Fresno Bee previously reported.
The blaze started weakening Sept. 9 thanks to lower temperatures and higher humidity recoveries, the Fresno Bee reported. The southern portion of the fire was contained as of Sept 12.
By Sept. 16, fire activity had dwindled significantly and the blaze was remaining “within its designated footprint,” the U.S. Forest Service — Sierra National Forest said in an update.
Firefighting crews are still focusing on strengthening and improving containment lines on the north and northwestern area of the fire, “while the focus shifts toward suppression repair throughout the rest of the affected fire area,” the forest service said.
“Resource advisors are working with firefighters on mitigating the impacts from suppression activities. This work is essential for stabilizing the soil, protecting water quality, and preserving both cultural and natural resources,” the forest service said. “Specialized equipment has been brought in to complete the critical task of restoring disturbed areas of the forest.”
Meanwhile, the weather is predicted to warm up through Wednesday with higher temperatures and lower humidity, the forest service said. Clouds are forecast to increase, and there’s a chance of showers overnight Thursday, Sept. 18.
Winds had pushed smoke from the fire north, improving air quality even in areas closer to the wildfire, the Fresno Bee reported. But smoke from the fire “continues to affect areas in the direct vicinity of the fire,” and will keep settling in drainages near the fire overnight and in the early morning, officials said.
Areas near Shaver Lake and Pine Flat Lake were experiencing good to moderate air quality, according to the U.S. Forest Service-Sierra National Forest. The fire had started threatening hundreds of giant Sequoia trees in the southern edge of the 100-acre McKinley Grove, a concentration of old-growth Sequoias, the Fresno Bee reported. Firefighters manned the area to protect the trees and reduce the intensity of the fire.
Some fire is considered healthy for giant Sequoias to thrive, but the ancient trees still need some protection against flames from a raging wildfire, the outlet reported.
The fire had grown so large that smoke plumes could be seen from space, the Fresno Bee previously reported. The smoke was affecting Fresno’s air quality, and the plumes were visible from several areas, including Highway 168 and off State Route 180. Firefighters are still working to contain the fire, including smokejumpers scaling the giant sequoias, KFSN reported.
Over 100 people have been evacuated, 11 were injured and about 300 structures are still threatened by the fire, KMPH reported.
Which areas are closed due to the wildfire?
The Sierra National Forest coordinated with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office to close a portion of the forest “in response to the full suppression effort on the Garnet Fire,” which remains closed at least through Sept. 19, the forest service said.
The Dinkey Creek Inn and General Store remains closed until further notice, but the historic store said it was confident its shop, chalets and property would be spared from the flames in a Sept. 12 post on Facebook.
“We are hoping for continued success to save our mountain community and businesses from the Garnet Fire,” the store said in the post.
It’s unclear when the Dinkey Creek Campground could reopen to the public.
Where are evacuations in Fresno County?
Zones under evacuation orders:
- K27
- K29
- K30
- K31
Zones under evacuation warnings:
- K26
- K60
- K165
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office removed evacuation warnings previously placed on zones K41, K61B, and K76.
Zones K40, K61A, and K166 were previously under evacuation orders and were reduced to warnings. “These zones encompass the southwestern side of the fire,” the sheriff’s office said.
A full list of evacuations and road closures is available on the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office website.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Where is Garnet Fire burning in Central California? See interactive map."
