[PHOTOS] Pack Fire Near Mammoth Mountain, CA, Burns 3,400 Acres, Forces Evacuations as Crews Battle Wind and Cold - SnowBrains

"The Pack Fire burning near Crowley Lake on the eastern slope of California's Sierra Nevada, about 20 miles east of Mammoth Mountain, has grown to 3,400 acres with no containment as of Friday morning, according to Cal Fire. The wildfire ignited Thursday afternoon near McGee Creek Road, west of Highway 395, under strong winds and dry conditions. Officials reported gusts up to 30 mph, which grounded firefighting aircraft and complicated suppression efforts through much of Thursday."

"The communities of Long Valley and McGee Creek remain under mandatory evacuation. Residents of Crowley Lake will be escorted back into the community beginning at 8:00pm as the Evacuation Order is being downgraded to a Warning. Escorts will be available from both southbound and northbound closures on Highway 395. The only entrance to Crowley Lake will be South Landing Road."

The Pack Fire is burning near Crowley Lake on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, about 20 miles east of Mammoth Mountain, and has reached 3,400 acres with no containment as of Friday morning. The fire ignited Thursday afternoon near McGee Creek Road west of Highway 395 during strong winds and dry conditions with gusts up to 30 mph that grounded aircraft. Light precipitation and cooler temperatures slowed activity by Friday, allowing crews to make progress. About 368 personnel remain on scene with engines, hand crews, water tenders, and bulldozers. Mandatory evacuations affect Long Valley and McGee Creek while Crowley Lake received escorted reentry and several road closures remain in place.

Read at SnowBrains