Railroad
Start Date: 8/29/17 Location: N 37°26 '3" x W 119° 39'5"
Size: 1,200 acres Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 5%
This vegetation fire is burning on the Sierra National Forest. The fire is located near
the communities of Sugar Pine and Fish Camp. The cause is under investigation.
Fire crews, engines, dozers and aircraft are at scene. The fire is burning in steep
terrain with heavy fuel loading. While Fire Crews made good progress last night,
crews are again challenged today by high temperatures and stiff winds. Additional
resources have been ordered. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take over
the fire today. Evacuations and closures remain in effect.
South Fork
Discovered: 8/13/17 Location: N 37°32 '15" x W 119° 35'54"
Size: 6,100 acres Cause: Unknown
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/White Fir Strategy: Suppression County: Mariposa
The north flank was most active yesterday as it burned into intermittent heavy pockets of fuel. The south and west flanks of the fire are contained, some smoke and glow at night will be visible form Wawona as logs and brush burn in the interior. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this morning.
Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the flanks closest to the community of Wawona and Mariposa Grove. Crews are continuing containment strategies on the north-west edge of the fire and to keep fire south and south-east of Chilnualna Creek. The north and east flank of the fire is 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 few high values at risk.
Area and trail closures are in place. Follow posted closure orders and maps.
Empire
Discovered: 8/1/17 Location: N 37° 38.673' x W 119° 37.096' at roughly 7300 feet elevation
Size: 4,150 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Moderate
Fuels: Red fir Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
Yesterday growth of the fire was moderated due to lower temperatures, higher humidities and cloud cover. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this morning. The west and northwest flanks of the fire are contained and showed minimal activity.
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. There was a firing operation on the south flank of the fire to tie in containment lines on the Deer Camp trail. Fire management personnel are implementing this strategy on three sides of the fire to also limit further smoke production in heavy fuels. Strategy for the east flank of the fire is to steer fire east deeper into the wilderness where there is sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers, which will slow spread and limit smoke production. This high country wilderness area is very steep and rugged and has few high values at risk.
Glacier Point road is closed to the public due to fire fighter safety to conduct tree felling and vegetation clearance; conditions are being assessed as to when the road can be opened again. Additional crews and engines are on order to support these operations.
Area and trail closures are in place including: Glacier Point road, Bridalveil Campground, and multiple trail closures.
Starr King
Discovered: 8/2/17 Location: N 37° 42.965' x W 119° 29.588' at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 27.5 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
Activity has picked up and smoke will be visible from Glacier Point, Washburn Point, and Sentinel Dome.
Yosemite Creek
Discovered: 8/3/17 Location: N 37° 50.414' x W 119° 38.088' at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
Size: .75 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Red fir Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
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
Size: 2.2 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
Creeping and smoldering, burning in large logs which are creating smoke.
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 County: Mariposa
Here are the most current Central Sierra Smoke/AQ Outlooks: