Cinder 5-4

Cinder 5-4 Fire Report - August 01, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Cinder 5-4 Fire ignited on the afternoon of Friday, July 24, 2026, near Tinnemaha Road and Taboose Creek Road, north of Aberdeen in Inyo County, California. It has since been grouped with other nearby lightning-sparked fires to form the broader Cinder Complex.
Size and Containment: As of August 1, 2026, the Cinder 5-4 Fire is mapped at approximately 1,318 acres. The parent Cinder Complex has burned a total of 2,784 acres and is currently 88% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially ignited by lightning strikes, the fire spread through dry vegetation and brush, driven by chaotic thunderstorm outflow winds. Over the last 72 hours, forward progress has been completely halted, with minimal fire activity observed. Unconsumed fuels in the interior of the fire footprint continue to smolder.
Containment Efforts: The incident is operating under a Unified Command that includes the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Firefighters have successfully established strong control lines in challenging terrain and are currently focused on mopping up hot spots, patrolling for smoke, and conducting fire suppression repair.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Lawful orders to leave immediately are in place for zones ICU-123-C, ICU-123-D, and ICU-127-A.
Evacuation Warnings: Potential threats to life and property exist for zones ICU-123-E, ICU-123-F, and ICU-127-B. Those who require additional time to evacuate, as well as those with pets and livestock, should leave now.
Curfew: No curfews have been officially reported for the evacuation zones at this time.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: An evacuation center for residents is located at the Bishop Senior Center (682 Spruce Street, Bishop, CA 93514). Large animals and livestock can be sheltered at the Tri-County Fairgrounds (1141 Main Street, Bishop, CA 93515 - use the Mule Days Office Entrance).

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Highway 395 has experienced dynamic openings and closings as fire operations continue. Motorists are advised to use caution.
• Glacier Lodge Road and the Big Pine Recreation Area have been subject to closures.
• Taboose Creek Road and Aberdeen Station Road are closed to public access.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incident Map and Evacuations
• Inyo County Emergency Services
• Caltrans QuickMap for Road Closures

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Cinder 5-4 Fire or the broader Cinder Complex.
Structures Impacted: At this time, there are no reports of structures being damaged or destroyed.
School and Business Closures: No specific school closures have been announced. Local recreational areas and forest access roads within the fire perimeter have been shut down to ensure public safety.
Notable Impacts: During the initial stages of the fire, an accidental evacuation alert was mistakenly sent to residents throughout the entirety of Inyo County (including unaffected areas like Bishop and Round Valley), causing temporary confusion. Officials have since corrected the error and clarified the specific zones affected.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No specific power outages related to this fire have been reported.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: Standard county and state fire restrictions are in effect, restricting outdoor burning due to extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: While smoke production has significantly decreased as containment has grown, smoldering interior fuels may still produce localized smoke. Residents with respiratory issues should continue to monitor local air quality advisories.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment reaching 88% over the last 72 hours, firefighters are highly optimistic. Effective suppression tactics are expected to keep the fire securely within its current footprint. Crews will spend the coming days focused on mop-up operations, extinguishing remaining hot spots, and completing fire suppression repair.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Hot and dry conditions will persist across the incident area. Temperatures are forecasted to soar into the triple digits (up to 105°F) with critically low relative humidity dipping to around 10%. Afternoon wind gusts could reach up to 25 mph. Fortunately, no further thunderstorm or lightning activity is expected in the immediate forecast.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Cinder 5-4 Fire and the broader Cinder Complex were caused by a barrage of lightning strikes.
Weather and Climate: The fire was ignited during a period of intense summer thunderstorms on July 24. Extreme fire weather conditions—characterized by triple-digit heat, critically low humidity, and parched vegetation—allowed the lightning strikes to quickly catch and spread. These conditions reflect the broader, extreme summer climate patterns driving heightened wildfire risks across California.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Official Incident Page
• InciWeb - Official Federal Fire Updates
• Watch Duty Wildfire Map