Fire Update September 13th, 2017

September 13, 2017 Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness. Showers and thunderstorms are possible each afternoon and evening through Thursday with increased relative humidities and cooler temperatures. Gusty and erratic winds are possible with any thunderstorm that develops.

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 andtomorrow 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.

https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/CentralSierraFires#Area2
https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap?custId=11&unitId=1011&isHistoric=False
https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm

Railroad fire is 12,407 acres and 87% contained . Inciweb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5553/

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: 6,200 acres        Cause: Lightning         Containment: 55%      Fuels: Red fir 
 
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
Inciweb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5475/

 
South Fork

Discovered: 8/13/17                           
Location: .75 miles east of the community of Wawona
Size: 6,840 acres        Cause: Lightning         Containment: 47%      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.

Inciweb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5502/

Le Conte

Discovered: 9/12/17   Location: North Side of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Size: 1/2 acre  Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low             Fuels: Sparse ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
 
10% active perimeter with minimal vegetation in steep and rocky terrain.

Porcupine Campground

Discovered: 9/12/17   Location: Right on Porcupine creek
Size: 1/10 acre            Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low             Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
 
Single green tree burning at the base with 10x10 ground fire with continuous wet fuels.

Morrison

Discovered: 9/12/17   Location: N 37° 52.707' x W 119° 36.854' elevation of 8,535 '
Size: 1/10 acre            Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low             Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
 
Lightning struck green tree with fire in the top and 10x10 ground fire at the base.

Wolf

Discovered: 9/12/17   Location: N 37° 52.597' x W 119° 36.552' elevation of 8,469 '
Size: 1/10 acre            Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low             Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
 
Green tree that was blown apart by lightning strike and burning at the base.
 
Hidden

Discovered: 9/12/17   Location: N 37° 48.318' x W 119° 29.607' elevation of 8,564 '
Size: 1/10 acre            Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low             Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
 
On the southwest ridge 100 yards from Hidden Lake burning in duff and down logs. Fire activity was creeping and smoldering at the top of the slope. Fire crews will continue to check on it.

Illilouette Creek

Discovered: 9/12/17   
Location: N 37° 40.391' x W 119° 32.505' elevation of 7,570'
Size: 1/10 acre            Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low             Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
 
On north aspect of the ridge in a lightning struck snag with some ground fuel on fire. Empire fire operations will monitor this fire. 
 
Starr King

Discovered: 8/2/17     
Location: N 37° 42.965' x W 119° 29.588' at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 60 acres             Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole        Strategy: Monitor                   
 
Fire personnel have secured the northern edge of the fire which will prevent fire from entering steep slopes down into Little Yosemite Valley. Fire continues to back towards the Cascade Cliff area. Smoke will be visible from the high country.

Rattlesnake

Discovered: 9/7/17
Location: Hwy 120/Big Oak Flat Rd. at Foresta Rd.
Size: 15 ac.                 Cause: RV/ Vehicle fire   Containment: 100%       Fuels: Grass mixed shrubs

The fire started due to an RV catching fire and spreading north into the old Big Meadow burn scar which helped limit its spread.  Yosemite fire crews will be checking this fire.

Yosemite Creek

Discovered: 8/3/17     
Location: N 37° 50.414' x W 119° 38.088' at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
Size: 3.4 acres            Cause: Lightning                     Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Red fir              Strategy: Monitor                   

Fire is creeping and smoldering and will continue to be checked by fire crews.

Porcupine
Discovered: 8/2/17     Location: N 37° 49.336' x W 119° 34.720' at approximately 8154 feet elevation off Tioga road.  
Size: 4.8 acres                        Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir         Strategy: Monitor                   

Fires edge is 30 feet from the Tioga road and is creeping and smoldering and to be checked by fire crews