Fire Update September 22, 2017

September 22, 2017 Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness. Weather has moderated with lower temperatures and higher relative humidities. All active fires in the park received moisture from the storm on 9/21. Updates will be done weekly 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: 6,340 acres        Cause: Lightning         Containment: 55%      Fuels: Red fir 
 
Fire activity was minimal yesterday due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover and snow that was received on 9/21. Burning was completed on the NE side of the fire along Glacier Point Rd. This secured the NE end hours before rain and snow hit the fire area. Crews will continue to monitor as the weather is expected to become warmer and drier starting Sunday. 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: 6,970 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 Fire activity was minimal yesterday due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover and snow that was received on 9/21.

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
 
Showing no smoke.
 

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
 
Minimal smoke can be seen, with some pockets of light smoke interior of the perimeter.              
 

Indian Rock

Discovered: 9/15/17
Location: Fire is ½ mile south of Porcupine Flat Campground Road.
Size: 5’x10’                 Cause: Lightning Spread        Potential: Low            
Fuels: Brush and down timber
 

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.

 

No new maps at this time.