Cascade Fire – Yosemite’s Helicopter 551, flew a reconnaissance flight today and mapped the fire at approximately 670 acres. This lightning caused fire has been slowly burning through open granite terrain and a red fir forest since June 15, 2012. Smoke is visible at times from many locations in the park. Air quality remains in the good range.
New lightning caused fires:
Grizzly Fire – this is near the north side of Vernal Falls. It is one acre and is being put out with Yosemite hand crews and helicopter. The fire is visible from Glacier and Washburn Points, and to hikers at Emerald Lake. Coyote Rocks – This fire was found today by a recon flight by Helicopter 551. It is a single tree hit by lightning and is at .10 of an acre. It is near Porcupine Flat along the north side Tioga Rd. It will be monitored.
Continued lightning is predicted for the rest of the week in the afternoon and evening hours. There are numerous fires outside of the park on the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests, and other areas in Northern CA.
