South Fork Fire Update #19 September 1st, 2017

September 01, 2017 Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

Start date: 8/13/17 2:30 p.m.
Size: 6,705 acres
Containment: 47%
Incident Personnel: 49
Cause: Unknown
Helicopters: 1
Fuels: Mixed conifer and red fir

Acreage was reduced due to more accurate mapping, the north and east flanks were most active yesterday as it burned into scattered heavy pockets of fuel. The south and west flanks of the fire are contained, some smoke and glow at night will be visible from Wawona as logs and brush burn interior. Weather will continue to be hot and dry through the weekend and into early next week. Fire will continue to back and flank on the north and east flanks and become more active as this weather pattern persists.

Crews will continue to patrol and mop-up the flanks closest to the community of Wawona and Mariposa Grove. Containment strategy is to tie containment lines into natural features on the north end of the fire as well as hold and secure handline from Chilnualna Creek south towards Wawona Dome. Bucket work will be continued as needed on the southern boundary of the fire. Sections of the north flank and the entire east flank are continuing to burn in the wilderness, and will be monitored by aircraft due to inaccessible and steep terrain. As fire burns into the high country wilderness it will burn actively through pockets of dense vegetation but will then slow down as it progresses into sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers limiting smoke production. This high country wilderness area has minimal values at risk.

The following trail and area closures are in place until further notice:

• The Swinging Bridge Trail on both the north and south sides of the South Fork of the Merced River.
• The Chilnualna Falls Trail from Wawona Trailhead to the top of Chilnualna Falls.
• The two mile connecting trail heading north from the top of Chilnualna Falls to the intersection of the Buena Vista Trail.
• The Chilnualna Creek Trail from the top of Chilnualna Falls east to the intersection of the Buena Vista and Buck Camp trails (Just east of Johnson Lake).
• Turner Meadow Trail
• Turner Meadow intersection east to Buena Vista trail
• Off-trail areas in the vicinity of the South Fork Fire Area, including the swimming holes north of Chilnualna Creek.
• All climbing routes on and around Wawona Dome are closed.

Air quality will remain moderate to poor at times, especially closer to the fire and usually during the nighttime and morning hours, while a strong high pressure system sits over the area. 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 at night and monitor the air quality forecast linked below for changes to the forecasted patterns and best times to plan outdoor activities.

For additional Information:

• Fire Information: [e-mail], [phone]
• Yosemite National Park Fire Information website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm
• Facebook: Search-- Yosemite Fire and Aviation: @YosemiteFire
• Twitter: Search @YosemiteFire https://twitter.com/YosemiteFire
• Air Quality and webcams: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm
• Daily Air Quality Forecast:https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/CentralSierraFires#Area2
• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5475/