There are multipole fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness Smoke will be present due to a high pressure system which brings higher temperatures and lower relative humidities.
Thunderstorms are possible over the high country. Thunderstorms bring gusty winds and hazardous lightning.
Thunderstorms are possible over the high country. Thunderstorms bring gusty winds and hazardous lightning.
South Fork
Discovered: 8/13/17Location: N 37°32 '15" x W 119° 35'54"
County: Mariposa
Size: 6,100 acres
Cause: Unknown
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/White Fir
Strategy: Suppression
The north flank was most active yesterday as it burned into intermittent heavy pockets of fuel. The south and west flanks of the fire are contained, some smoke and glow at night will be visible form Wawona as logs and brush burn in the interior. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this
morning.
Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the flanks closest to the community of Wawona and Mariposa Grove. Crews are continuing containment strategies on the north-west edge of the fire and to keep fire south and south-east of Chilnualna Creek. The north and east flank of the fire is continuing to burn in the wilderness, and will be monitored by aircraft due to inaccessible and steep terrain. As fire burns into the high country wilderness it will burn actively through pockets of dense vegetation but will then slow down as it progresses into sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers limiting smoke production. This high country wilderness area has few high values at risk.
Area and trail closures are in place follow posted closure orders and maps.
Empire
Discovered: 8/1/17
Location: N 37° 38.673' x W 119° 37.096' at roughly 7300 feet elevation, 1 mile east of Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area and 3/4 mile south of Glacier Point Road
County: Mariposa
Size: 4,150 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Moderate
Yesterday growth of the fire was moderated due to lower temperatures, higher humidities and cloud cover. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this morning. The west and northwest flanks of the fire are contained and showed minimal activity.
Fire crews are implementing a perimeter control strategy for the north, west, and southern flanks of the fire to protect Bridalveil Campground, Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, Yosemite West subdivision, Wawona Road (Highway 41), and Glacier Point road. There was a firing operation on the south flank of the fire to tie in containment lines on the Deer Camp trail. Fire management personnel are implementing this strategy on three sides of the fire to also limit further smoke production in heavy fuels. Strategy for the east flank of the fire is to steer fire east deeper into the wilderness where there is sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers, which will slow spread and limit smoke production. This high country wilderness area is very steep and rugged and has few high values at risk.
Glacier Point road is closed to the public due to fire fighter safety to conduct tree felling and vegetation clearance; conditions are being assessed as to when the road can be opened again. Additional crews and engines are on order to support these operations.
Location: N 37° 38.673' x W 119° 37.096' at roughly 7300 feet elevation, 1 mile east of Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area and 3/4 mile south of Glacier Point Road
County: Mariposa
Size: 4,150 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Moderate
Yesterday growth of the fire was moderated due to lower temperatures, higher humidities and cloud cover. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this morning. The west and northwest flanks of the fire are contained and showed minimal activity.
Fire crews are implementing a perimeter control strategy for the north, west, and southern flanks of the fire to protect Bridalveil Campground, Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, Yosemite West subdivision, Wawona Road (Highway 41), and Glacier Point road. There was a firing operation on the south flank of the fire to tie in containment lines on the Deer Camp trail. Fire management personnel are implementing this strategy on three sides of the fire to also limit further smoke production in heavy fuels. Strategy for the east flank of the fire is to steer fire east deeper into the wilderness where there is sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers, which will slow spread and limit smoke production. This high country wilderness area is very steep and rugged and has few high values at risk.
Glacier Point road is closed to the public due to fire fighter safety to conduct tree felling and vegetation clearance; conditions are being assessed as to when the road can be opened again. Additional crews and engines are on order to support these operations.
Area Closures
- Glacier Point Road
- Bridalveil Creek Campground
Trail Closures
- The Swinging Bridge trail
- Ostrander Lake is closed from Bridalveil and Lost Bear Meadow trailheads
- Chilnualna Falls Trail is closed including access to Chilnulana creek and Grouse, Crescent and Johnson Lakes
- Deer Camp is closed including access from Turner Meadow, Empire Meadow, and Bridalveil Creek
Starr King
Discovered: 8/2/17
Location: N 37° 42.965' x W 119° 29.588' at approximately 7,800 feet elevation
County: Mariposa
Size: 27.5 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Activity has picked up and smoke will be visible from Glacier Point, Washburn Point, and Sentinel Dome.
Yosemite Creek
Discovered: 8/3/17
Location: N 37° 50.414' x W 119° 38.088' at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
County: Mariposa
Size: .75 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low
Location: N 37° 50.414' x W 119° 38.088' at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
County: Mariposa
Size: .75 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low
Porcupine
Discovered: 8/2/17
Location: N 37° 49.336' x W 119° 34.720' at approximately 8,154 feet elevation off Tioga road near Yosemite Creek Campground road, creeping and smoldering, burning in large logs which are creating smoke.
County: Mariposa
Size: 2.2 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low
Location: N 37° 49.336' x W 119° 34.720' at approximately 8,154 feet elevation off Tioga road near Yosemite Creek Campground road, creeping and smoldering, burning in large logs which are creating smoke.
County: Mariposa
Size: 2.2 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low
Knob 91
Discovered: 8/4/17
Location: 37° 52.185' x W 119° 35.217' at approximately 8,980 feet elevation
County: Mariposa
Size: .39 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber litter
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low
Location: 37° 52.185' x W 119° 35.217' at approximately 8,980 feet elevation
County: Mariposa
Size: .39 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber litter
Strategy: Monitor
Spread Potential: Low
Below is the Central Sierra Smoke/AQ Outlook for Wednesday August 30th. A new fire was discovered yesterday around 1:00 pm on the Sierra National Forest called the Railroad Fire. The Railroad Fire will aid in potential degraded air quality conditions in the area.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
