Mono County Fire Grounds Firefighting Aircraft
- A wildfire, named the Pack fire, began near Crowley Lake in Mono County, California, on Thursday afternoon.
- the blaze experienced a "critical rate of spread," growing from three acres to 1,000 acres within just one hour, prompting evacuations in the Crowley Lake area.
- Firefighting aircraft were temporarily grounded at 2:30 p.m.
Pack Fire Threatens Crowley Lake, Prompts Evacuations
Table of Contents
Updated as of November 14, 2025, at 00:29:29 PST.
Fire Ignites and Rapidly Expands
A wildfire, named the Pack fire, began near Crowley Lake in Mono County, California, on Thursday afternoon. The fire was first reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. near McGee Creek Road, west of Highway 395, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal fire).
the blaze experienced a “critical rate of spread,” growing from three acres to 1,000 acres within just one hour, prompting evacuations in the Crowley Lake area. An interactive map detailing the affected areas is available from Genasys Protect here.
Challenges for Firefighters
Firefighting aircraft were temporarily grounded at 2:30 p.m. due to inclement weather conditions. winds were reported at 12 to 16 mph from the south, with gusts reaching up to 24 mph, hindering aerial firefighting efforts, as reported by Cal Fire.
The Pack fire is burning at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet.
Impact on Communities and Travel
An estimated 10 to 20 homes in the McGee Trailer Park were threatened by the fire. Highway 395 in Mono County was closed between Tom’s Place and benton Crossing Road to facilitate firefighting operations, according to the California Department of Transportation.
Motorists traveling from Inyo County to northern Mono County or Nevada were advised to use Highway 6 in Bishop as a detour. Evacuation centers were established at Mammoth Middle school in Mammoth Lakes and the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop.
Incoming Storm May Aid fire Suppression
A winter storm warning is in effect for Mono county from 1 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m.Friday, potentially bringing rain and snow to the area, according to the National Weather Service. This storm could assist fire crews in suppressing the blaze.
The National weather Service predicts wind gusts up to 70 mph along the highest peaks and up to 50 mph below 8,000 feet.