September 3, 2015 - Yosemite has been experiencing periodical air quality changes due to regional fires. Numerous large fires are burning along the entire western part of the United States and transport winds are carrying smoke across a very large region. This pattern may continue for the next few days. We urge everyone to consider air quality when planning outdoor activities.
Lightning caused fires being monitored and managed for multiple objectives within Yosemite include:
Cathedral (37 51.078 x 119 25.120 – Tuolumne Co., 9400’El., 8/2). This is near the John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lakes. The perimeter is actively smoldering and creeping through lodgepole pine needles and logs and has good potential to grow until it hits natural barriers. The fire is 29 acres in size and is being monitored.
Middle (37 51.538 x 119 41.194 Tuolumne Co., 8043’El., 7/27). It is west of White Wolf and south of the Middle Tuolumne River. It is at 24 acres, and smoke may be visible from Tioga Road. It continues to smolder and creep through down logs, pine needles and other vegetation. It is in a red fir and lodgepole pine forest.Dark (37 50.575 x 119 37.153 –Mariposa Co.,8200' el., 7/ 9). This fire is along the Yosemite Creek Campground Road and smoke is periodically visible from both the campground and Tioga roads. Fire crews secured the edges of the fire by burning along the most active perimeter. That operation is complete. It is at 40 acres, and continues to creep and smolder through red fir duff and needles within the interior of the fire. The Lukens trail is now reopened.
White Cascade (37 54.926 x 119 23.780 Tuolumne Co, at 9000' el., 7/3). This remote fire is east of Glen Aulin High Sierra camp,east of Conness Creek, and west of Tuolumne Meadows, and is at 23 acres. This high elevation fire, in a lodge pole pine forest, has slow spread potential. The fire is not near any trails. Smoke may be visible in Tuolumne Meadows.
Quartzite (37 43.871 x 119 25.200 Mariposa Co., 8387' el., 7/27). It is approximately 0.5 miles south of Merced Lake, midslope and on a north aspect. It is smoldering in mountain hemlock, western white pine and lodgepole pine. This fire is contained to natural barriers. Declared out on 8/28/15.
Stubblefield (38 02.743 x 119 36.625 –Tuolumne Co., 7659' el., 8/3). This fire is in Stubblefield Canyon and west of the Pacific Crest Trail and at the northeast section of the Park; it is very remote. It is most likely a lightning strike holdover. Currently, it is 2 acres in size, in a red fir and Jeffrey Pine forested area, with other sparse vegetation.
Currently no roads are closed within the park.
All visitors are urged to be diligent in any use of fire, including smoking. And be sure all fires are out!
As with all fires, staff and visitor safety is of paramount importance. Each fire, regardless of size, is assessed for the appropriate course of action.
Source: NPS
