THREE RIVERS, Calif. (FOX26) — If you’ve noticed a lot more smoke in the air, it’s because there’s a big fire raging in Sequoia National Park.

Firefighters expect the “Coffee Pot Fire” to grow significantly before it is extinguished.

(RELATED)Park fire almost half contained after 429,000 acres, evacuations remain

“This fire was started by a lightning strike,” said Savanna Birchfield Gernt, CAL FIRE Tulare Unit spokesperson. “It was surrounded by a firewall; it was a 5-acre area, and from there, a tree actually fell out of the firewall.”

This tree started the fire, which spread to over 700 acres.

According to CAL FIRE, the Coffee Pot Fire started on August 3 in Sequoia National Park.

It is now actively burning in rugged downhill terrain and is doubling in size daily.

“We have done a risk assessment and this incident proves that we are risking some firefighter lives or injuries as we fight this fire because of the values ​​at risk,” said Dustan Mueller of the U.S. Forest Service.

Values ​​at risk include the Sequoia Redwood trees and the people of Three Rivers.

While driving to Three Rivers, FOX26 reporter Sophia Lesseos stopped to check on her 91-year-old great aunt.

She told Sophia that a fire so close to Three Rivers brought back a trauma from 2021, when a devastating wildfire occurred in the Sequoia National Forest that destroyed 16 sequoia groves.

“I just believe in the firefighter, but the last time was terrible,” said Juliet Delcon, who lives in Three Rivers. “I’m really praying and hoping to God that doesn’t happen.”

Currently, the Forest Service and Cal Fire believe the fire is far enough away to not require evacuations.

However, if you want to feel a little safer, make your area more defensive by removing 100 feet of dead weeds, grass, or other flammable material.

“I really want to encourage people to continue to make sure they have appropriate protective measures in place around their property to add a little extra safety in the event of a wildfire in their area,” Birchfield Gernt said.

The US Forest Service says the fire must be allowed to continue to spread because it is spreading in steep, rocky terrain that is difficult to access.

To keep the fire away from the community of Three Rivers, firefighters are establishing control lines on the south and west flanks.

The “coffee pot fire” is 0% contained.

Firefighters protect the Surprise Grove of giant sequoias from fires.

Parts of Sequoia National Park in the South Fork Kaweah Drainage are closed due to the fire.