Empire Fire Update #38 September 13th, 2017

September 13, 2017 Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

Location: 1 mile east of Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area and 3/4 mile south of Glacier Point Road
Discovery Date: July 31st, 2017
Incident Personnel: 43
Size: 6,200 acres
Helicopters: 1
Containment: 55%
Cause: Lightning

Fire activity was minimal yesterday due to increased relative humidity and precipitation from the last couple days. If conditions are favorable today fire crews will continue burn operations along Glacier Point road. Glacier Point road remains closed until further notice due to fire operations. Showers and thunderstorms are predicted this afternoon through Thursday with cooler temperatures and higher relative humidly through the end of the week.

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. Today crews will continue work along Glacier Point road on the north flank of the fire. The west and south flanks of the fire are contained, holding, and will continue to be monitored by aircraft and fire personnel. Areas of new smoke may be seen as the fire cleans up areas of unburned fuel interior. The east flank is being allowed to move towards the Illilouette basin to continue to enhance forest resiliency in a fire adapted ecosystem. Yosemite National Park has managed fire in this wilderness area for decades. This area is very steep and rugged, with numerous natural barriers and minimal values at risk.

The following trail and area closures are in place until further notice:

• Glacier Point Road
• Bridalveil Campground
• Ostrander Trail
• Bridalveil Trail
• Alder Creek Trail
• Mono Meadow Trail
• Turner Meadow Trail

Yosemite West and Wawona had only brief local smoke from the Empire fire overnight and some morning smoke in Yosemite Valley, which disperses by afternoon. Smoke dispersion will improve today and tomorrow with strengthening southwest winds in the afternoon and decreasing chance of thunderstorms. 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, limit outdoor activity, and monitor the air quality forecast linked below for changes to the forecasted patterns.

For additional Information:

• Fire Information: [e-mail], [phone]
• 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 and webcams: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm
• Daily Air Quality Forecast:https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/CentralSierraFires#Area2
• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5475/