Fire Update September 7, 2017

There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness. An upper level, low pressure will reside off the central California coast through Friday brining slightly cooler temperatures. Humidities will trend slightly lower by Friday.

Railroad fire is 11,603 acres and 43% contained with 872 personnel. There will be a public meeting tonight,Thursday September 7, at the Mountain Christian Center 40299 Highway 49, Oakhurst at 7 pm. Fire officials will be on hand to answer any questions. Some residents in Fish Camp were allowed to return to their homes. All other evacuations remain in place. Highway 41 remains closed between Fish Camp to Sky Ranch Road. Hazard tree clearing will continue along Highway 41. To access Yosemite National Park use Highway 49 to the 140 through El Portal or the 120 from Big Oak Flat Entrance.

For more information go to Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5553/.

 

South Fork

Discovered: 8/13/17                           
Location: .75 miles east of the community of Wawona
Size: 6,640 acres        Cause: Unknown        Containment: 47%      Fuels: Mixed conifer and red fir
 
Fire remains quiet near the community of Wawona. The most activity yesterday was on the east flank burning into the wilderness through scattered pockets of dense fuel and the south flank backing into the South Fork of the Merced. There was an increase in acreage due to more accurate mapping. An upper level low pressure will reside off the central California coast through Friday brining slightly cooler temperatures. Humidities will trend slightly lower by Friday.
 
The northern spot fire remains south of handline at Turner meadow, crews brought fire down to Chilnualna Creek to secure the spot fire with the main fire.  Patrols continue along portions of the fire closest to Wawona. There may be some burning well interior and visible smoke with increased winds due to the storms. Bucket work may be continued on the southern boundary of the fire. Both spot fires south of the South Fork of the Merced drainage were contained and secured with hose lays and handlines. 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 steep and rugged 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.
 

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: 5,637 acres        Cause: Lightning         Containment: 55%      Fuels: Red fir             
 
Fire activity was minimal yesterday. Acreage has increased due to more accurate mapping.  Glacier Point Road is open. Signage and traffic control will be in place to mitigate smoke and other hazards on the road; there is a potential for implementing temporary road closures or single lane convoys from Bridalveil Camp Ground to Mono Meadow trailhead. An upper level low pressure will reside off the central California coast through Fridaybrining slightly cooler temperatures. Humidities will trend slightly lower by Friday.
 
Fire crews are implementing a perimeter control strategy for the north, west, and southern flanks of the fire to protect Bridalveil Campground, Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, Yosemite West subdivision, Wawona Road (Highway 41), and Glacier Point road. The north end of the fire is in monitor status, the west and south flanks of the fire are contained and holding. Areas of new smoke may be seen as the fire cleans up areas of unburned fuel interior.  Fire management personnel are implementing this strategy on three sides of the fire to minimize further smoke production in heavy fuels. The east flank is being allowed to move towards the Illilouette basin to continue to enhance forest resiliency in a fire adapted ecosystem
 
Yosemite National Park has managed fire in this wilderness area for decades. This high country wilderness area is very steep and rugged with numerous natural barriers and minimal values at risk.
 

Starr King

Discovered: 8/2/17     
Location: N 37° 42.965' x W 119° 29.588' at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 58 acres             Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole       Strategy: Monitor                   
 
Smoke may be visible from high elevation viewpoints.
 

Yosemite Creek

Discovered: 8/3/17     
Location: N 37° 50.414' x W 119° 38.088' at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
Size: 2.3 acres            Cause: Lightning                     Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Red fir              Strategy: Monitor          
        

Porcupine

Discovered: 8/2/17     
Location: N 37° 49.336' x W 119° 34.720' at approximately 8154 feet elevation off Tioga road near Yosemite Creek Campground road, creeping and smoldering, burning in large logs which are creating smoke.  
Size: 3.3 acres                        Cause: Lightning         Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir        Strategy: Monitor                   
 

Knob 91

Discovered: 8/4/17     
Location 37° 52.185' x W 119° 35.217' at approximately 8980 feet elevation
Size: .39 acres            Cause: Lightning                     Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Timber litter      Strategy: Monitor     


Dispersion will continue to improve today. However,southerly/southwesterly winds are still bringing smoke directly into Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Yosemite West, and Foresta from the Railroad Fire, and to a lesser extent from the Empire and South Fork fires. 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. 

No new map update today. See the most recent map below.

https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/2017/CentralSierraFires#Area2 https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm