Fire Update August 27th, 2017

South Fork
Discovered: 8/13/17
Location: N 37°32 '15" x W 119° 35'54"
Size: 4,430 acres
Cause: Unknown
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/White Fir
Strategy: Suppression
County: Mariposa

The fire is burning in the wilderness but is being managed for protection objectives due to its close proximity to the community of Wawona. Crews will continue to mop up (extinguish hot spots on the fire’s edge) and monitor the perimeter of the fire. Aircraft will assist in securing the line as needed. Fire is burning in dense mixed conifer forest with areas of heavy tree mortality. Smoke is expected to be heavy in the area and adjacent communities. Multiple trail closures exist around the fire perimeter and are signed with the exact location.


Empire
Discovered: 8/1/17
Location: N 37° 38.673' x W 119° 37.096' at roughly 7300 feet elevation
Size: 2,300 acres
Cause: Lightning
Spread Potential: Moderate
Fuels: Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
County: Mariposa

The Empire Fire is burning in wilderness and poses no current threat to park infrastructure. It was reported on the night of July 31st. This fire is being managed to meet both protection and resource management objectives as allowed in Yosemite's Fire Management Plan. It is approximately 1 mile south of Bridalveil Campground and between Alder Creek drainage and Bridalveil Creek drainage. Fire crews are managing growth, fire behavior, and smoke dispersion. The fire is burning in heavy pockets of dead and down timber which reduces fuels buildup and increases forest resiliency.

Trails are closed from Bridalveil Creek Campground to the second junction with the Ostrander trail and from Westfall Meadow to the Deer Camp junction, along Alder Creek. Bridalveil Campground is closed down that this time.


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: 1.91 acres
Cause: Lightning
Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir
Strategy: Monitor
County: Mariposa

Activity has picked up and smoke will be seen in the area