August 16, 2017 - A Tuesday morning, August 15, 2017 update on the Wildfires burning in Yosemite National Park.

South Fork  (Click Here for Current Information)
Discovered: 8/13/17      
Location: N 37°32 '15" x W 119° 35'54"
Size: 1613 acres                                              
Cause: Unknown                      
Spread Potential: High
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/White Fir           
Strategy: Suppression  
County: Mariposa
 
(Left) South Fork Fire in Yosemite National Park - Credit: NPS

The South Fork fire is burning 1 mile east of the community of Wawona upstream of Swinging Bridge in the South Fork of the Merced River drainage.  The fire is burning in the wilderness but is being managed for protection objectives due to its close proximity to the community of Wawona.  Strategic objectives are containment of the west flank and keeping the fire north of the river for protection of the community of Wawona. 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  (Click Here for Current Information)
Discovered: 8/1/17       
Location: N 37° 38.673' x W 119° 37.096' at roughly 7300 feet elevation
Size: 1320 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 monitoring 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. There are no threats to infrastructure at Bridalveil Campground and the remainder of hiking trails in the area is open at this time. Future closures will be decided based on fire behavior.

Starr King 
Discovered: 8/2/17       
Location: N 37° 42.965' x W 119° 29.588' at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 8 acres                                                    
Cause: Lightning                      
Spread Potential: 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.

Knob 91
Discovered: 8/4/17       
Location:N 37° 52.185' x W 119° 35.217' at approximately 8980 feet elevation
Size: .39 acres                                     
Cause: Lightning                      
Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Timber litter                                            
Strategy: Monitor                      
County: Mariposa

Yosemite Creek 
Discovered: 8/3/17       
Location: N 37° 50.414' x W 119° 38.088' at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
Size: .49 acres  Cause: Lightning                      
Spread Potential: Moderate
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, activity has picked up and smoke will be seen in the area.
Size: 1.32                                                         
Cause: Lightning                      
Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir                                   
Strategy: Monitor                      
County: Mariposa
Source: NPS