Rey Fire: Monday Evening Update

The Rey Fire shortly after spread into Indian Canyon

As smoke from the Rey Fire blots out the sun across the South Coast, firefighters continue to battle the 23,000-acre blaze as it heads east through the forest. Independent writer Ray Ford reported this afternoon that the fire blew across Indian Canyon in “one of the biggest fronts I’ve seen.” The front, half a mile wide, raced 1,200 feet up a slope that separates Mono and Indian creeks in five minutes, Ford said. Flames reached 30 to 40 feet tall. “It’s very hot and active over here,” said Ford. The fire is now moving into the Mono Creek drainage.

Despite the rapid movement in that area, fire officials say overall containment progress has been good this afternoon.

In their latest dispatch, U.S. Forest Service officials said the fire has burned 23,564 acres and is 20 percent contained. They predicted warm, dry weather over the next few days, with “brief periods of critical fire weather” possible during the afternoon and evening.