Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Thursday, July 14, 2022
Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park from the PG&E Deadwood Live Camera in Eastern Madera County on Wednesday Morning, July 13, 2022 at 6:14 A.M.
Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Thursday, July 14, 2022
Evening Update: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park is at 4,261 Acres, with 23% Containment.
Basic Information
|
Current as of |
7/13/2022, 6:56:06 PM |
|
Incident Type |
Wildfire |
|
Cause |
Under Investigation |
|
Location |
Southern portion of Yosemite National Park; |
|
Incident Commander |
Josh Boehm, California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. |
|
Incident Description |
Full Suppression. |
|
Coordinates |
37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
|
Total Personnel |
1,045 |
|
Size |
4,261 Acres |
|
Percent of Perimeter Contained |
23% |
|
Fuels Involved |
Very heavy accumulations of available dead surface fuels with ample snags, downed timber, and concentrations in an old-growth forest condition. Representative fuels include large timber with an understory of young conifer and shrubs. Very deep duff and accumulation of timber litter (branchwood and needles) dominate the forest floor. Recent large fire scars in the area include woody fuels and recent shrub growth. Live fuels (shrubs/brush) are seasonally moist and are providing limited intensity and spread. |
|
Significant Events |
A persistent weather pattern for the next several days will support active-to-very active fire behavior in heavy dead and down fuels. Expect afternoon episodes of group torching, short crown runs, and spotting primarily on the south side of the S. Fk. Merced River and upstream toward Iron Creek. Continued warming and drying over the next several days will bring additional fire growth and smoke production where control lines have yet to be constructed. |
Outlook
|
Planned Actions |
Continue direct handline construction where possible and prepare for indirect line when needed. Utilize offensive firing operations along primary control lines when appropriate. Defend Wawona Point and the Community of Wawona. Protect Mariposa Grove. Establish contingency lines through Long Valley to Grizzly Creek. Protect remote structures on National Park and Sierra NF. Evacuate threatened cattle allotments. |
|
Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Warm and dry conditions are producing active-to-very active fire behavior during the day, and extending into the night due to poor relative humidity. Significant activity was observed on the east flank of the fire south of the S. Fk. Merced River toward Iron Creek including group torching and short crown runs on steep slopes. Light winds are producing sustained backing on slopes, flanking, and torching with spotting. Some downslope and down drainage wind flow will provide smoke in the valleys especially during the night under a strong inversion. 24 hours: Warming and drying will continue to provide an increase in fire behavior throughout the period, with the burn period extending into the nighttime hours due to poor relative humidity recovery. Light winds will provide sustained backing on slopes with flanking, torching, and spotting. Continued fire spread may be expected on the east flank of the fire in the South Fork Merced River drainage toward Iron Creek. Potential for spotting north of the South Fork Merced River as the fire backs to the bottom of the slope. 48 hours: Warm and dry conditions combined with poor-fair nighttime relative humidity will produce conditions for active to very active fire behavior on uncontained portions of the fire perimeter. Expect sustained backing, active flanking, more frequent torching with spotting, and short head fire runs likely. 72 hours: Increased warming and drying that will maintain active to very active fire behavior potential. Likely increase in fire behavior to include group torching, short torching/crown runs on wind aligned slopes, and spotting to .5 miles |
Current Weather
|
Weather Concerns |
Persistent weather pattern continues with warm temperatures and dry conditions. Overall winds will be light to moderate and mostly terrain driven, except higher elevations that experience gusts up to 20 mph. Observed Weather Conditions July 13, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 4-8 mph gust 18 mph. Temp Highs 82-88 Direction Southwest RH 25-30% Forecasted Weather for Next Operational Period July 14, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 3-7 mph gusts to 15 mph. Temp Highs 84-90 Direction Southwest RH 20-26% |
Update 12:30 P.M. A Community Meeting will be held on July 14, 2022 at 7:00 PM Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Fresno Flats Road (Road 425b), Oakhurst, CA
Watch live at facebook.com/YosemiteFire
Update 10:48 A.M. Sierra National Forest Announces Restrictions and Road Closures as Washburn Fire is Now Active on the Forest
Update 10:07 A.M. Wednesday, July 13, Sequoia Grove Updates and Conditions on the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park
Update 8:40 A.M. Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Operations Video for Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Update 7:35 A.M. Weather Service: Smoke projection from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh computer model depicts heavy smoke from the #WashburnFire moving over Yosemite Valley this afternoon due to southerly transport winds. Smoke will decrease in density late this evening into tonight.
Update: 6:15 A.M. Air Quality Measurements
Update 6:00 A.M.: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Briefing and Infrared Maps for Wednesday, July 13, 2022
July 13, 2022 - Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park is at 3,772 Acres and 17% Containment.
Update 11:35 A.M. Below is the Daily Update
Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove
Percent Contained: 17%
Start Date: July 7, 2022
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3772 acres (+256)
Number of Personnel Assigned: 1045 (+396)
Weather/Fire Conditions:
The weather for the coming week continues to be warm and dry resulting in active to very active fire behavior. This active behavior will include group torching and runs of intense fire in the crowns of trees on slopes. Expect winds over the incident area to remain light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity is predicted to be in the 20-30% range. Weather and fuels will continue to produce a large smoke column each afternoon. Expect smokey conditions. Visit: fire.airnow.gov/ for conditions in your area.
Public Support: Firefighters and participating agencies are grateful for the support expressed in many ways by the local communities and the nationwide public. Many who are working on the fire have also been in situations where wildfire has impacted their personal lives and they can relate to what people and communities are currently experiencing. And although members of the public may not be working on the fire line, it takes an entire community to successfully make it through incidents such as the Washburn Fire. Your patience as the fire is battled and the land is eventually rehabilitated is noticed and very much appreciated. Fire moves onto the Sierra National Forest (SNF): The Washburn Fire is now active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect public safety during the Washburn Fire, Forest Routes 5S43, 5S06 (Mt. Raymond Rd.), 5S22 and 5S37 have been closed to the public. Please see the attached map. The lands affected are less than 1% of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. This Forest Order 05-15-00-22-14 will be effective from July 13, 2022, through August 1, 2022. Map: Closure Map
Biomass Reduction in Yosemite National Park:
For many years there has been a concerted effort to reduce the large amounts of trees (both living and dead) in certain areas within Yosemite National Park. This never-ending task involves thinning trees with a variety of masticating and chipping equipment, chainsaws and through the use of low intensity ground fire when conditions permit. The high severity fire activity we are currently experiencing on the Washburn Fire is the result of fire being fueled by a large forested area with an extremely concentrated biomass. So, who or what benefits from the reduction of the biomass? If you have a chance to visit the Mariposa Grove after the fire you will see the results of a low intensity fire burning in an area where the biomass has already been reduced. The result is that the Mariposa Grove survived, remains in good health and a healthier habitat has been created for local flora and fauna.
Fire Progression:
For a daily summary of the fire with Matt Ahearn, Operations Section Chief for California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. Search: http://facebook.com/yosemitefire or on Facebook search:
Washburn Fire Morning Briefing with Team 13 Using Fire to Fight Fire: There have been quite a few questions related to the use of introduced fire to slow the wildfire progress. Firefighters are attacking the fire with fire, or using what we call “offensive fire.” For a visual description of this tactic visit this link: Offensive Fire
Evacuations & Closures:
Wawona, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed until further notice. All other areas of Yosemite National Park are open. Use El Portal Rd (Hwy 140) or Big Oak Flat Rd. (Hwy 120 East) or Tioga Rd (Hwy 120 West) to enter Yosemite.
The Rest of the Park Remains Open and reservations are still required; visit www.recreation.gov. We appreciate the patience of the public as visitors experience longer waits at the other entrances while the South Entrance remains closed.
3,772 acres (+256 acres), brush and timber,
17% contained (+0% containment)
· Moderate fire behavior overnight
· Threat to critical infrastructure
· Mandatory evacuation orders in effect for the community of Wawona
· Threat to the community of Wawona
· Threat to Giant Sequoia grove
· Road and trail closures in the area
· CAIIMT 13 (Boehm) in command
Basic Information
| Current as of | 7/13/2022, 6:00:10 AM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Location | Southern portion of Yosemite National Park; |
| Incident Commander | Josh Boehm, California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. |
| Incident Description | Full Suppression. |
| Coordinates | 37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,045 |
| Size | 3,772 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 17% |
| Fuels Involved |
Very heavy accumulations of available dead surface fuels with ample snags, downed timber, and concentrations in an old-growth forest condition. Representative fuels include large timber with an understory of young conifer and shrubs. Very deep duff and accumulation of timber litter (branchwood and needles) dominate the forest floor. Recent large fire scars in the area include woody fuels and recent shrub growth. Live fuels (shrubs/brush) are seasonally moist and are providing limited intensity and spread. |
| Significant Events |
Expecting the next several days to provide active-to-very active fire behavior in heavy dead and down fuels with episodes of group torching, short crown runs, and spotting. Afternoon conditions are producing areas of high intensity fire behavior on the east flank of the fire resulting in additional acreage. Continued warming and drying over the next several days will likely provide increased fire behavior with additional fire growth and smoke production. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Continue direct handline construction where possible and prepare for indirect line when needed. Utilize offensive firing operations along primary control lines when appropriate. Defend Wawona Point and the Community of Wawona. Protect Miraposa Grove. Establish contingency lines through Long Valley to Star Mine |
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Warm and dry conditions produced active-to-very active fire behavior during the day and will extend into the night due to poor relative humidity. Significant activity was observed on the east flank of the fire south of the S. Fk. Merced River including group torching and short crown runs on steep slopes. Light winds are producing sustained backing on slopes, flanking, and torching with spotting. Some downslope and down drainage wind flow will provide smoke in the valleys especially during the night under a strong inversion. 24 hours: Warming and drying will continue to provide an increase in fire behavior throughout the period, with the burn period extending into the night time hours due to poor relative humidity recovery. Light winds will provide sustained backing on slopes with flanking, torching and spotting. Continued fire spread may be expected on the east flank of the fire in the South Fork Merced River drainage toward Iron Creek. Potential for continued spotting north of the South Fork Merced River as the fire backs to the bottom of the slope. 48 hours: Warm and dry conditions combined with poor-fair night time relative humidity will produce conditions for active to very active fire behavior on uncontained portions of the fire perimeter. Expect sustained backing, active flanking, more frequent torching with spotting, and short headfire runs likely. 72 hours: Increased warming and drying that will maintain active to very active fire behavior potential. Likely increase in fire behavior to include group torching, short torching/crown runs on wind aligned slopes, and spotting to .5 miles Anticipated after 72 hours: Peak warming and drying period late in the week will provide active to very active fire behavior on uncontained portions of the fire. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
High pressure will ease slightly Wednesday leading to slightly cooler conditions. However, the region will still remain relatively dry. Smoke will continue to impact the region due to weaker transport flow, especially at night. Overall winds will be light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Observed Weather Conditions July 12, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 3-8 mph gust 15 mph Temp Highs 84-89 Direction Southwest RH 20-25% Forecasted Weather for Next Operational Period ¿ July 13, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 5-8 mph gusts to 20 mph. Temp Highs 79-87 Direction Southwest RH 20-30% |
Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Tuesday, July 12, 2022
