As of August 1, 2021, Yosemite has had 35 fires started by lightning and 11 human-caused fires for the 2021 calendar year. Fire management has taken on a mix of strategies to suppress, monitor, or maintain these fires throughout Yosemite's naturally fire-adapted ecosystem. On July 31, lightning storms caused multiple fires, located primarily in the Mather District of Yosemite National Park, along Tioga Road from White Wolf to Aspen Valley, including the Hetch Hetchy area. These 10 fires were all grouped together under one incident name, the Mather Complex. Additional fires were in the Badger Pass area and near Ostrander Lake.
All fires are being monitored and have a low probability of spread with many natural barriers.
The other 19 lightning fires not reported in this update have been suppressed, contained, or called natural outs. All fire management actions have adhered to Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST). This minimizes impacts in the wilderness while allowing the healthy ecological effects of natural fire. Firefighters are routinely monitoring fire behavior on the remaining fires and will continue to engage in management actions as warranted.
Yosemite National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem. The overall strategy for managing all wildland fires is to provide for the safety of employees and the public and protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.
Mather Complex
- Location: Between Aspen Valley and Hetch Hetchy, west of White Wolf.
- Number of Fires: 10
- Discovery Date: July 31,2021
- Size: From .10 to .25 acres.
- Containment: Varies by Fire.
- Strategy: Confine and Contain/Suppression
- Cause: Lightning
- https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7761
Mono
- Location: Near Ostrander Lake
- Discovery Date: July 31. 2021
- Size: .10 acres
- Containment: 0%
- Strategy: Monitor
- Cause: Lightning
County Line
- Location: Near Yosemite Creek Campground Road. 8361 elevation.
- Discovery Date: June 28th, 2021
- Size: 224 acres
- Containment: 100%
- Strategy: Confine and Contain
- Cause: Lightning
Lukens
- Location: West of Lukens Lake, North of Tioga Road. 8243 elevation.
- Discovery Date: June 28, 2021
- Size: 466 acres
- Containment: 50%
- Strategy: Confine and Contain
- Cause: Lightning
Stubblefield
- Location: Northern end of Yosemite NP, 2000 feet from Pacific Crest Trail (mile marker 982), no threat to trail. 8000 elevation.
- Discovery Date: June 28, 2021
- Size: 2 acres
- Containment: 0%
- Strategy: Monitor
- Cause: Lightning
Wegner
- Location: East of Yosemite Creek Picnic Area and east of Tioga Road. 8256 elevation.
- Discovery Date: June 28, 2021
- Size: .5 acres
- Containment: 0%
- Strategy: Monitor
- Cause: Lightning
Half Moon
- Location: West of Ten Lakes near Half Moon Meadow. 8256 elevation.
- Discovery Date: June 28, 2021
- Size: 1.5 acres
- Containment: 0%
- Strategy: Monitor
- Cause: Lightning
For the most up-to-date fire information follow Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.