There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness. Fire Managers are working with the local Air Quality Districts and will be monitoring smoke impacts to the park and local communities. For Yosemite Valley drift smoke may flow down into the valley in the mornings which will be compounded with campfires in the valley until the morning inversion lifts.
Much of the smoke we are experiencing in the region is from the fires north of San Francisco. North winds are transporting the smoke to our area and contributing to poor air quality - particularly in the central valley and moving up into the foothills.
Updates will be issued on Fridays.
Empire
Discovered: 8/1/17
Location: 1 mile east of Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area and 3/4 mile south of Glacier Point Road
Size: 7,000 acres Cause: Lightning Containment: 85% Fuels: Red fir
Backing fire on the NE edge. This can be seen on the Illilouette Ridge from the Glacier Point Road. Crews will continue to monitor. Glacier Point road is open, subject to smoke along the road from Badger Pass to Sentinel Dome Parking Area.
South Fork
Discovered: 8/13/17
Location: .75 miles east of the community of Wawona
Size: 7,564 acres Cause: Lightning Containment: 85% Fuels: Mixed conifer and red fir
Fire remains quiet near the community of Wawona on the west and south flank of the fire. Sections of the north flank and the entire east flank are continuing to burn in the wilderness Fire activity has been minimal this week.
Starr King
Discovered: 8/2/17
Location: N 37° 42.965' x W 119° 29.588' at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 70 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole Strategy: Monitor
Visible from the Glacier Point Road.
Porcupine
Discovered: 8/2/17
Location: N 37° 49.336' x W 119° 34.720' at approximately 8154 feet elevation off Tioga road.
Size: 7 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir Strategy: Monitor
Visible from Tioga Road
Ribbon
Discovered: 9/26/17
Location: 37 45.3 by119 38.5 at approximately 8154 feet elevation off Tioga road.
Size: 2 Acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Low brush Strategy: Monitor
Visible from Sentinel Dome and Glacier Point