It is approximately 1 mile south of the Bridalveil Creek Campground east of Alder Creek drainage and west of Bridalveil Creek drainage burning in red fir. Fire behavior has been variable from creeping and smoldering in needle duff and burning in heavy dead and down timber to single and group tree torching. 50-100 acres can be expected when fire is pushed by downdrafts from thunder cells and low relative humidity. In sheltered areas with no wind fire will creep and smolder.
Fire crews will be continuously monitoring growth, fire behavior, and smoke dispersion. The
wilderness area the Empire Fire is in a fire adapted forest ecosystem. By allowing fires to burn
naturally under the right conditions, we can ensure a healthier, more diverse and natural forest.
These fires can also reduce fuels and thereafter limit the potential for future severe fires. Reducing the potential for severe fires can help maintain forests and can also reduce future smoke impacts. Although this fire may have transient, moderate smoke impacts in areas near the fire, more severe fires can cause extremely unhealthy levels of smoke for extended periods, over a much wider area
There are no threats to infrastructure, Bridalveil Creek Campground, or hiking trails at this time. Both the Alder Creek trail and Bridalveil trail are being assessed by fire crews, future closures will be decided based on fire behavior. The fire will be visible from the high country and may be seen from multiple viewpoints in the immediate area off Glacier Point Road.
Smoke will be seen in the fire area and may impact the Bridalveil Campground. Fire Managers are working with the local Air Quality Districts and will continually 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 and continually monitor the attached air quality links.
