A new wildfire dubbed the Loop Fire erupted Monday afternoon in Mono County, charring high-country terrain on federal land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The blaze was first reported at about 3:43 p.m. and, as of the latest update, officials had not released any containment figure. The cause is still under investigation.
What officials are saying
The first public alert about the Loop Fire surfaced Monday via a federal incident notice, according to The Sacramento Bee. The National Interagency Fire Center later updated its national incident dashboard with the new blaze; check the National Interagency Fire Center site for official federal data as it is posted.
Where the fire is and who responds
The Loop Fire is burning in Mono County on land overseen by the U.S. Forest Service, putting the incident under federal management with local crews folded into the response. Residents and visitors should keep an eye on updates from Mono County and the sheriff's office for any evacuation instructions or road-closure alerts that might follow.
Mono County fire context
The Eastern Sierra has been no stranger to wildfire in recent seasons. Last year the Inn Fire burned near Mono Lake, leading to area closures and a coordinated response from multiple agencies, according to the Inyo National Forest. Incidents like that have shown how quickly even relatively small high-country fires can affect highways, trailheads, campgrounds and other recreation spots.
How to stay informed
If you live in or are traveling through the Eastern Sierra, keep monitoring the National Interagency Fire Center and Mono County channels for fresh information on the Loop Fire, including any evacuation orders or closures. We will update this post as agencies release more details.
