Discovery Date: July 31st, 2017
Incident Personnel: 35
Size: 2,770 acres
Helicopters: 2
Cause: Lightning
The Empire Fire is being managed for both resource and protection objectives. Yesterday the most active portion of the fire was on the east and southeast flank, the north end of the fire above Bridalveil Campground was relatively quiet, fire is holding and crews will continue to monitor. The spot near Glacier Point Road and Bridalveil Campground is secure and contained. Growth is expected today with higher forecasted temperatures and relative humidities.
The affected area is in a fire-adapted wilderness. Allowing fires to burn naturally can result in
healthier, more diverse ecosystems. Reducing fuels buildup minimizes the potential for future severe fires. Although the current fire may have transient, moderate smoke impacts, more severe fires can cause unhealthy levels of smoke for extended periods, over a much wider area.
Trails are closed Ostrander trail, Bridalveil Creek Campground at the second junction with the
Ostrander trail and from Westfall Meadow to the Turner junction, along Alder Creek. Bridalveil Trail toTurner Meadow Junction is closed. Bridalveil Creek Campground is open today; please check with
Yosemite National Park Camp Ground Reservations for further information. Off trail areas are closed
within the vicinity of the fire. Please use caution when hiking in the wilderness area.
The fire will be visible from the high country and may be seen from multiple viewpoints in the
immediate area off Glacier Point Road including Sentinel and Washburn Points. Travelers should be
cautious of smoke along road.
Fire Managers are working with the local Air Quality Districts and will be monitoring smoke impacts to the park and local communities. Community members who are sensitive to smoke may want to close their windows and doors and monitor the air quality links below.
For additional Information:
- Fire Information: Yose_Fire_Info@nps.gov, (209) 379-1493
- Yosemite National Park Fire Information website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm
- Facebook: Search-- Yosemite Fire and Aviation: @YosemiteFire
- Twitter: Search @YosemiteFire https://twitter.com/YosemiteFire
- Air Quality: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm
- Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5475/
