MODIS map of the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park on Friday morning
Note: 1,500 Pixels Wide
MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program Frequently Asked Questions
Note: Click here for Saturday, July 9, 2022 Updates
Evening Update: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Photos for Friday, July 8, 2022
7:35 P.M. Update – Yosemite Fire Information, NPS: The Washburn fire was active today and is reported to be 466 acres with 0% containment. The community of Wawona and the Wawona Campground were evacuated just after 4:00 p.m. due to increased fire activity.
A fire shelter is set up at the New Life Church located at 5089 Cole Road in Mariposa, CA. A portion of the Wawona Road (Highway 41) is closed from South Entrance to the Wawona Golf Course. Ground crews and aviation resources are working on full suppression throughout the night and into tomorrow.
This will be the last update for today.
Road conditions: 209-372-0200 (option 1, 1 again)
Aerial photo of burning conditions earlier today. Credit: NPS
7:30 P.M. Inciweb Report: Washburn Fire is now at 466 acres, with 209 total personnel.
Incident Information
Basic Information
|
Current as of |
7/8/2022, 7:29:36 PM |
|
Incident Type |
Wildfire |
|
Cause |
Under Investigation |
|
Incident Commander |
Russell Mitchell (ICT3) |
|
Coordinates |
37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
|
Total Personnel |
209 |
|
Size |
466 Acres |
|
Fuels Involved |
Mixed timber with significant dead/down. |
|
Significant Events |
Moderate Fire Behavior Observed, including Long-range Spotting, Group Torching and Backing |
Outlook
|
Planned Actions |
A Type-2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be arriving today. |
Current Weather
|
Weather Concerns |
Increasing temperatures and decreasing humidity through the weekend |
5:21 P.M. NPS Officials Report: Mandatory evacuation order for the community of Wawona and Wawona Campground due to the Washburn fire. Please leave the area immediately. Wawona Road (Hwy 41) is open NORTHBOUND ONLY from Wawona (toward Yosemite Valley). Wawona Road is closed south of the golf course.
See map at https://arcg.is/1nzzzz0. Shelter is available at Mariposa New Life Church 5089 Cole Rd., Mariposa CA.
4:17 P.M. Inciweb Report:
Incident Information
Basic Information
|
Current as of |
7/8/2022, 4:17:26 PM |
|
Incident Type |
Wildfire |
|
Cause |
Under Investigation |
|
Coordinates |
37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
|
Size |
466 Acres |
|
Fuels Involved |
Mixed timber with significant dead/down. |
|
Significant Events |
Reduction in acreage due to more precise mapping. |
Outlook
|
Planned Actions |
A Type-2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be arriving today |
4:08 P.M. NPS Officials Report: Mandatory evacuation order for the community of Wawona and Wawona Campground due to the Washburn fire. Please leave the area immediately. Wawona Road (Hwy 41) is open in both directions. Shelter location information to follow in separate alert. See map at https://arcg.is/1nzzzz0.
More incident information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8209.
3:15 P.M. NPS Officials Report a meeting for Wawona residents is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. this evening (July 8) outside the Wawona Community Center (7917 Chilnualna Falls Rd).
This will not be streamed or recorded.
12:53 P.M. Officials report a reduction in acreage to 166 acres due to more precise mapping.
Also: A Type-2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be arriving today.
10:30 A.M. - At 2:04 pm on July 7th, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received multiple 911 telephone calls reporting smoke visible from the lower Mariposa Grove area, near the Washburn trail. A full initial attack response was dispatched including Yosemite Fire resources and cooperators. The Mariposa Grove was evacuated and is temporarily closed. Multiple resources have been ordered including engines, crews, and aircraft, as well as a Type 2 Incident Management Team. The fire was mapped last night at 46 acres and remained active overnight with an estimated acreage of 250 acres. Ground and air resources will continue suppression efforts today. The fire cause is under investigation.
All areas in Wawona should to prepare for potential evacuation as this incident may require evacuation in the future. Residents and visitors are encouraged to make appropriate preparations. Additional information can be found online at: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/ready-set-go/
Update 10:15 A.M. - Fire Advisory: Yosemite National Park officials report all areas in Wawona need to prepare for potential evacuation due to The Washburn Fire. This incident may require evacuation in the future. Residents and visitors are encouraged to make appropriate preparations. Wawona Road (Hwy 41) and South Entrance remain open.
Update 8:40 A.M. - Attention YARTS Passengers: Mariposa Grove bus stop is closed due to fire. Highway 41 route buses will not be able to stop there until further notice.
Washburn Fire from the PG&E Deadwood Live Camera in Eastern Madera County on Friday morning at 8:06 A.M.
National Weather Service Hanford Office reports heavy smoke from the #WashburnFire impacting Wawona and Yosemite National Park this afternoon.
Current Air Quality from Local Purple Air Sensors as of 8:15 A.M.
- Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside it’s probably not a good time to go for a run. And it’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.
- If you have a heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether, and when, you should leave the area.
- If you decide to remain:
- Consider staying indoors to avoid breathing the smoke particles.
- Run your air conditioner, if you have one.
- Keep the fresh air intake closed, and the filters clean, to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: if you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelters.
- A swamp cooler will not provide this protection, and will pull in the smoky air from outside.
- “Masks” (especially surgical masks or wet bandanas) will not protect your lungs. If the smoke is that irritating to you, the best option is to remain indoors or temporarily re-locate.
Thursday afternoon information:
At 2:04 pm on July 7th, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received multiple 911 telephone calls reporting smoke visible from the Mariposa Grove area, near the Washburn Trail. A full initial attack response was dispatched including Yosemite Fire resources and cooperators. The Mariposa Grove was evacuated and is temporarily closed. Multiple resources have been ordered including engines, crews, and aircraft, as well as a Type 2 Incident Management Team. The fire was mapped July 7th at 46 acres and remained active overnight. Ground and air resources will continue suppression efforts today. The fire cause is under investigation.
