Pack Fire Nearly Contained Near Mammoth Mountain as Winter Approaches
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The Pack Fire, which sparked near McGee Creek Road, west of Highway 395 in Mono County, California, delivered a devastating, late-season blow to the Eastern Sierra community. Fueled by fierce wind gusts that reportedly hit up to 50 miles per hour, the fire exploded quickly after starting on November 13, 2025.
The Scale of the Damage
The fast-moving flames ripped through the area, causing significant property loss and damage, particularly impacting residential communities:
- Acreage: At its peak, the fire was reported to be around 3,400 acres. However, updated perimeter mapping using ground-based assessments and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) later reduced the final confirmed acreage to 1,974 acres.
- Structures Impacted: The most heartbreaking consequence was the damage to homes and property. Initial reports varied, but current damage assessment confirms six residential, commercial, and other structures were damaged, with a total of 30 structures damaged overall. The McGee Creek RV Park was specifically impacted, with approximately 15 homes involved. Other reports indicated as many as 28 structures were destroyed, though final damage inspection was ongoing.
- Evacuations: The blaze forced mandatory evacuations for the communities of Long Valley and McGee Creek. At one point, about 1,800 residents and nearly 1,200 structures were impacted by evacuation orders and warnings. Evacuation shelters were set up at Mammoth Lakes Middle School and the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop.
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Latest Updates: Near the Finish Line
The unified command, including CAL FIRE, Inyo National Forest, and the Mono County Sheriff, has been tirelessly fighting the fire, with over 600 personnel assigned to the incident.
- Containment: The most recent update shows the Pack Fire is now 83% contained. Minimal fire activity and smoldering were observed as precipitation helped cool the flames.
- Evacuation Status: All mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted. Evacuation warnings remain in effect primarily within the fire perimeter. The Mono County Public Health Department, however, issued a closure for McGee Creek residents due to a local public health emergency.
- Recovery and Resources: Suppression repair plans have been finalized, and repair operations are now underway. Utility providers are working to restore essential services. All evacuation shelters have since closed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The resilience of the Mammoth Lakes community and the courage of the firefighters who battled this brutal, late-season fire—even with aircraft temporarily grounded due to extreme winds—are a powerful example of dedication
