Fire Update, September 18, 2020

September 18, 2020 Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park. Each fire is burning in Wilderness, in a fire adapted ecosystem. There are multiple trail closures in effect around the Yosemite Creek area and the southern part of the park. All fires may be visible from Tioga Road, Glacier Point, and high country vistas. Smoke from each fire is settling locally at night and in the morning, then rising and dispersing to the north and northeast in the early afternoon. Park managers are working with the local Air Quality Districts and will be monitoring smoke impacts to the park and local communities. Heavy smoke from the Creek Fire is reducing visibility and shading out the area, which has moderated fire behavior.

Blue Jay Fire

Location: 4 miles south of White Wolf campground and 1 mile west of Lukens Lake Trail at approximately 9,000 feet elevation.
Discovery Date: July 24, 2020 Size: 4,061 acres
Containment: 40% Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning

The fire is actively burning in pockets of accumulated dead and down logs and is creeping and backing with isolated single tree torching along the active perimeter. When conditions are favorable, firing operations are occurring to help bring the fire’s edge to natural containment lines. Fire crews are utilizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for aerial reconnaissance and mapping, Infrared Detection (IR), and aerial ignition. This type of aerial ignition aids fire personnel by gaining depth along natural containment lines in areas that firefighters cannot access on foot.
inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6888/

Wolf Fire

Location: 1 mile north of White Wolf Campground and 2 miles east of Lukens Lake Trail at approximately 9,000 feet elevation.
Discovery Date: August 11, 2020 Size: 900 acres
Containment: 25% Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning

The fire has a 30% active perimeter, primarily on the southeastern edge. The fire is burning in dense pockets of vegetation and accumulated dead and down logs and is creeping along the forest floor, with some isolated single tree torching and short range spotting along the active perimeter.

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7134/

North Whizz Dome Fire

Location: 4/10 mile south of Cathedral Creek and 1 mile northwest of Tioga Road at approximately 8,400 feet elevation.
Discovery Date: August 27, 2020 Size: 85 acres
Containment: 0% Strategy: Monitor
Cause: Lightning

The fire has a 50% active perimeter burning in heavy fuels through ground litter on the forest floor and burning in pockets of accumulated dead and down logs with some isolated single tree torching. Fire personnel will continue to monitor fire behavior and growth.

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7135/

Horse Fire

Location: Horse Ridge, 1 mile southeast of Ostrander Lake at approximately 9,500 feet elevation.
Discovery Date: August 24, 2020 Size: 23 acres
Containment: 0% Strategy: Monitor
Cause: Lightning

The fire is creeping and smoldering through sparse vegetation in a very rocky area.  There are currently no threats to trails or infrastructure.

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7149/
 

For the most up-to-date fire information, follow Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov

Last updated: September 18, 2020

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