Yosemite National Park Fire Update for Friday, October 23, 2020 – Blue Jay Fire Grows to 6,840 Acres with 50% Containment

Details: Last Updated: Friday, 23 October 2020 07:16; Published: Friday, 23 October 2020 07:16

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Blue Jay Fire around Lukens Lake taken from a helicopter on October 22, 2020. NPS Photo.

October 23, 2020 - There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park. Each fire is burning in fire adapted ecosystems in Wilderness. There are trail closures in effect. All fires may be visible from Tioga Road (Highway 120 through Yosemite National Park), Glacier Point, and high country vistas. Overall, smoke production is minimal, with small light columns rising around 500 feet high from the ground. Smoke is settling locally at night, rising in the morning, and dispersing to the northeast in the early afternoon. Park managers are working with the local air quality districts to monitor smoke impacts in the park and local communities. Smoke from ongoing regional fires continues to impact the area. Please heed all signed trail closures and follow all traffic controls in areas you will be visiting.

Blue Jay Fire

Location: Yosemite Creek drainage south of the 10 Lakes trail at 9,000 feet elevation.

Discovery Date: July 24, 2020

Size: 6,840 acres

Containment: 50%

Strategy: Confine and Contain

Cause: Lightning

Activity is low. Primary activity is on the northern flank adjacent to the Yosemite Creek Drainage, northeast of Lukens Lake, and in unburned pockets inside the perimeter. Fire is smoldering and backing through ground litter and pockets of accumulated dead and down logs, with some isolated single tree torching. Weather conditions may create potential for increased fire behavior. There may be impacts to Tioga Road (Highway 120 through Yosemite National Park). For park road information call 209-372-0200 Press 1 then 1. There are trail closures in effect. Check this website for current trail closures:

h ttps://www.nps.gov/yose /planyourvisit/conditions.htm

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6888/

Wolf Fire

Location: North of White Wolf Campground and west of Lukens Lake Trail at 9,000 feet elevation.

Discovery Date: August 11, 2020

Size: 1,935 acres

Containment: 40%

Strategy: Confine and Contain

Cause: Lightning

The fire has shown minimal growth and low activity. Primary activity is on the southeast corner, and less activity is along the Middle Tuolumne drainage and the southwest flank. The fire is smoldering in dense pockets of vegetation and accumulated dead and down logs, and backing and creeping along the forest floor with some isolated single tree torching. Weather conditions may create potential for increased fire behavior. Darker brown smoke may be visible rising around 1,500 feet above the ground and dispersing northeast. There is no apparent threat to White Wolf at this time.

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7134/

North Whizz Dome Fire