Independence - BigPine Fires

[The Village Idiot]

Fires near Bigpine and Independence

"Wednesday morning, INF officials re-opened nearly two dozen forest roads, campgrounds and trailheads that had been affected by the fire."
....
"The only facilities still closed are the Sawmill and Baxter Pass trailheads and the Oak Creek Campground, which was burned by the fire, and the North Oak Creek Canyon Road (residents only can travel up the South Oak Creek Canyon Road)."

Story
http://www.inyoregister.com/index.ph...1206&Itemid=27

Photos
http://www.inyocounty.info/

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd8UE4U3GUM

There is a lot of smoke in the valley still. But as one "The Sheet" declares, It makes great sunrises and sunsets. HHmmm how come I never saw a great sunrise in Los Angeles?

[The Village Idiot]

I was in Big Pine briefly and couldn't see much damage from the point above Baker Creek Campground. The campground is in the trees at the foot of the hill. The fire damage is the next set of trees further in the distance. The furthest set of trees, heading up the road to Glacier Lodge looks untouched also. It seems confirmed elsewhere...
http://desertblog.blogspot.com/2007/...land-fire.html