Rock

Rock Fire Report - August 02, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Rock Fire ignited at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, near Highway 395 and Black Rock Springs Road in the Poverty Hills area of Inyo County, California (south of Big Pine and north of Independence).
Size and Containment: As of August 1, 2026, the fire has burned 12,008 acres and is 90% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially starting in heavy brush along the highway, the fire grew rapidly to 2,500 acres within its first 24 hours due to strong, erratic winds. It burned through terrain thick with sagebrush and volcanic rock across the Owens Valley before pushing higher into the steep, rugged terrain of the High Sierra and the John Muir Wilderness. Over the last 72 hours, fire activity has been minimal as it reached inaccessible elevations.
Containment Efforts: Originally managed under a Unified Command including the CAL FIRE San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono Unit, the U.S. Forest Service (Inyo National Forest), the Inyo County Sheriff's Office, and the California Highway Patrol, management of the fire was transferred solely to the Inyo National Forest on July 30. Firefighters are currently focusing on suppression repair and mopping up. Because the remaining active areas are in the extremely steep and rugged Armstrong Canyon, ground crews cannot safely access it. Instead, water-dropping helicopters and infrared reconnaissance flights are being utilized to suppress remaining heat and monitor the perimeter.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Evacuation orders remain in place for Zones ICU-123-C, ICU-123-D, and ICU-127-A.
Evacuation Warnings: Evacuation warnings are active for Zones ICU-123-E, ICU-123-F, and ICU-127-B (Aberdeen).
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Evacuation centers were established at Statham Hall/Senior Center in Lone Pine, Big Pine Town Hall, and the Inyo County Consolidated Office Building in Bishop. Animal sheltering is available at the Lone Pine High School Farm (large animals) and the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop. Residents needing shelter assistance are advised to call Inyo County Disaster Services at (760) 873-7871. The estimated number of people impacted has not been officially released by authorities.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Tinnemaha Road (south of the campground)
• Black Rock Road
• Division Creek Road
• Goodale Road
• Taboose Creek Road / Aberdeen Station Road
• Trail and Campground Closures: The Inyo National Forest has closed the Sawmill Pass, Red Lake, Taboose Pass, and Birch Lake trailheads. Tinnemaha, Taboose, and Goodale Creek county/BLM campgrounds are also closed.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Current Incidents Page
• Inyo County Ready Inyo - Rock Fire Updates
• Inyo National Forest Official Alerts

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported civilian or firefighter injuries or fatalities associated with the Rock Fire.
Structures Impacted: Due to successful firefighting efforts, there have been no structures damaged or destroyed.
School and Business Closures: Several popular campgrounds remain closed. No school closures have been reported, as it is currently the summer break.
Notable Impacts: The fire has advanced into the John Muir Wilderness and is burning within 3 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Officials have actively worked to warn thru-hikers to bypass the fire area via Highway 395.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: LADWP power customers experienced outages earlier in the incident, but power restoration efforts have been highly successful.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: A CAL FIRE proclamation suspending burn permits and open burning is in effect for the San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono Unit due to extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke within the interior of the fire could still be visible for several months due to the inaccessible terrain. Residents should monitor the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, as smoke may pose health risks for sensitive groups.
Other Health Risks: Recent thunderstorm activity prompted the National Weather Service to issue Flash Flood Warnings for northwestern Inyo County, posing a risk of debris flows near burn scars.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment at 90%, fire activity is minimal. Firefighters will continue to strengthen control lines and conduct suppression repair. Full containment is expected to progress slowly due to the steep, hazardous terrain of Armstrong Canyon, where the fire will be monitored by aerial resources until all smoldering material is extinguished naturally or by water drops.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The area has been experiencing a monsoonal weather pattern bringing dry lightning and thunderstorms. These conditions have resulted in Flash Flood Warnings for the region. Erratic, terrain-driven winds remain a concern for potential flare-ups.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The official cause of the Rock Fire remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme weather and climate conditions have played a significant role in the fire's behavior. Prolonged dry conditions left the region's sagebrush and timber highly volatile. This baseline extreme fire danger was exacerbated by a monsoonal weather pattern that brought erratic terrain-driven winds, extreme heat, and lightning strikes, which fueled the Rock Fire's initial rapid expansion and continues to complicate final suppression efforts.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incident Updates
• Inyo County Emergency Information (Ready Inyo)
• Watch Duty Wildfire Map