I have a SEKI permit for later this week. As such, I just received this message from NPS:
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 at 3:29 PM "Due to a fire occurring near the Chagoopa Plateau, the High Sierra Trail will be temporarily closed from Sky Parlor Meadow to Upper Funston Meadow. This section of trail is between the eastern junction of the High Sierra Trail and the Moriane Lake Trail and the junction of the High Sierra Trail and the Kern River Trail. At this time, we do not know when the closure will be lifted. For more information please see the attached documents. In addition, you can expect dense smoke conditions throughout the Kern Canyon as a result of the Fish Fire burning south of the park in the Golden Trout Wilderness. "
Also, there is a 400 acre fire near Windy Point / Middle Fork Kings River.
Neither fire is big, but due to the substantial Rim Fire the firefighting resources are very precious — it seems likely that these fires will not get many firefighters and therefore might become more of an issue for hikers.
More information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/naturescience/current-fires.htm
I mention these in case you are planning a trip in the next few days or if you have friends on the High Sierra Trail, Ropers Sierra High Route, or in the Middle Fork Kings River.
