Eighty-five hikers and climbers were also evacuated from the summit of Half Dome by helicopters from the California Highway Patrol, US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and CAL FIRE.
The South Central Sierra Interagency Management Team will begin management of the fire at 6 PM, September 8, 2014.
Resources:
- 4 Type 1(heavy helicopters),
- 3 Type 2 (medium helicopters)
- 1 Air Attack
- 3 Air Tankers
- Over 100 firefighters are assigned, including Yosemite fire crews and 6 Hot Shot crews
Closed Trails:
- Echo Creek Drainage to Little Yosemite Valley
- Sunrise Creek Drainage to Little Yosemite Valley (John Muir Trail)
- Merced River Corridor to Merced Lake Ranger Station
- Nevada Fall east through Little Yosemite Valley along the Merced River corridor.
- Sunrise trail to Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake
Smoke Impacts: Visitors, campers, employees are likely to have air quality smoke impacts overnight and early morning hours in Yosemite Valley. Key points:
- Fires of this magnitude, in this area of the park have in the past produce heavy smoke that drains down into Yosemite Valley, so be prepared for smoke in the Unhealthy AQI range or worse in the mornings, with some clearing in the afternoon hours.
- Information for schools can be found on this site, and links to current air quality updates for this incident will be posted on the California Smoke Information blog.
As with any fire incident in Yosemite National Park, firefighter and public safety is our number one priority. We appreciate everyone’s assistance with this priority.
Map showing fire area:
Map showing wilderness trail closures:
