Yosemite Fire Update #27

The Slope Fire was approximately 1696 acres on Wednesday, September 29th at noon. The fire grew 123 acres (+/- error of helicopter flight line) since last Friday (September 25). Fire activity increased during the ridge of high pressure but continues to spread slowly as a surface fire with occasional single tree torching. Twenty five percent of the southern perimeter is active, and the north end (next to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) and interior is mostly cold. The fire is burning some brush but largely the downed logs and snags and fine fuels on the ground. On Wednesday morning, fire crews held the southwest corner of the fire at the Harden Lake Road to reduce smoke affecting residents of Tuolumne County. The holding actions were minimal due to the fireline intensity and should reduce nuisance complaints about the fire. The Incident Commander on the fire is Jon Haag. All trails to Pate Valley from the White Wolf campground area are still closed.

The Vernon Fire was approximately 909 acres Wednesday September 29th at noon. The fire grew 158 acres (+/- error of helicopter flight line) since last Friday (September 25). It is creeping through fine fuels and downed trees and snags and occasionally torching single trees. The most active portion of the fire is the southern end. Although fire activity increased during the hot and dry conditions this week fire behavior is minimal. The Incident Commander is Parker Bevington. The trail to Lake Vernon from the Tiltill Valley Junction is still closed.

Weather and smoke: With the approaching change in weather, down canyon accumulations of smoke will lessen Sunday through Tuesday. We expect reduced smoke accumulations as both fires move into old fire scars where sparse fuels will limit spread and smoke.