Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Friday, July 22, 2022
Retardant Line & Burned Area from Wawona Point
Credit: InciWeb
Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Friday, July 22, 2022
Note: If you were at or near the Mariposa Grove on July 7, 2022, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) one of the following ways:
Call or text: 888-653-0009
Email: nps_isb@nps.gov
Note: Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41 into Yosemite) between South Entrance and Yosemite Valley will tentatively reopen to visitors on Saturday, July 23, at 6 am. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Wawona area will remain closed for at least another week. This closure includes all camping, lodging, vacation rentals, and other services (other than gas) in the Wawona area.
A reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.: https://go.nps.gov/reserve.
Evening Update: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park is at 4,856 Acres, with 58% Containment and 1,330 Total Personnel.
Basic Information
|
Current as of |
7/21/2022, 6:05:50 PM |
|
Incident Type |
Wildfire |
|
Cause |
Under Investigation |
|
Location |
Southern portion of Yosemite National Park; Sierra National Forest. |
|
Incident Commander |
Mike Wakoski, California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. |
|
Incident Description |
Full Suppression. |
|
Coordinates |
37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
|
Total Personnel |
1,330 |
|
Size |
4,856 Acres |
|
Percent of Perimeter Contained |
58% |
|
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 |
Active, Flanking, Backing, Creeping. Successful suppression actions have resulted in minimal fire behavior on all portions of the fire. Much of the perimeter has been secure for several days with progressive heat loss due to aggressive mop-up, and continued consumption of residual fuels. A very persistent warm and dry weather pattern continues to support the potential of active-to-very active fire behavior today. |
Outlook
|
Planned Actions |
Continue to secure and reinforce the Hwy 41 corridor, Mariposa Grove Rd., Protect remote cabins within Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest. Continue to construct handline where possible in the Iron Creek drainage area. |
|
Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: The fire remains within containment lines; no fire spread was observed. A very persistent warm and dry weather continues to support pockets of minor interior active fire behavior, that includes smoldering, creeping, and an occasional flare-up in unburned fuels. Diurnal wind flow will continue to provide diminishing smoke accumulation in the valleys during the night under a strong inversion, while southwest winds at higher elevations retain a relatively clear sky. 24 hours: Continued warm/dry weather will maintain the potential of active fire behavior during the period, with the burning conditions extending through the night due to poor relative humidity recovery on higher terrain. Generally light winds will promote pockets of isolated limited fire behavior within the control lines as unburned fuels are consumed. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will provide clear sky and good ventilation. Aggressive mop-up and diminishing heat over time will continue to lessen the threat to containment lines. 48 hours: Warm/dry daytime conditions combined with poor nighttime relative humidity will maintain the potential of active to very active fire behavior. Expect continuing isolated interior pockets of fuel consumption through creeping, smoldering, with occasional flare-ups. Diminishing heat sources, aggressive mop-up, and time since burning will provide additional security to prevent escape from control lines. 72 hours: Stagnant warm and dry weather pattern will maintain the potential for active-to-very active fire behavior. Expect continuing reduction in fire activity due to aggressive mop-up activities and diminishing heat from fewer sources. Minimal smoke will be visible in the late afternoon with southwesterly transport wind. Nighttime cooling will allow smoke to accumulate in the valleys due to downslope flow and a strong inversion. Anticipated after 72 hours: The persistent pattern of warm and dry conditions continues with very little change overall. Conditions will be present that support the potential for active to very active fire behavior, but with diminishing heat sources and successful suppression efforts the threat of spread or escape will be minimized. |
|
Remarks |
CAiIMT13 will transfer command to CAIIMT15 on Friday, July 22, 2022, at 1900. |
Current Weather
|
Weather Concerns |
Synopsis: Sunny skies continue Thursday afternoon with warm and dry weather continuing as humidity values are trending slightly drier than previous days. Generally light westerly winds through this evening, strongest above 7000 feet. Quiet weather overnight. No big changes for Friday but slightly stronger westerly ridgetop winds are forecast as a weak system passes to our north. Long range trends remain warm and dry through the weekend. Observed Weather Conditions - July 21, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 3-7 mph gusts to 15 mph. Temp Highs 8 2-92 Direction West-southwest RH 18-28% Forecasted Weather for Next Operational Period - July 22, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 4-8 mph gusts to 20 mph. Temp Highs 82-91 Direction West-southwest RH 17-27% |
Update 9:00 A.M. Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Operations Video for Thursday, July 21, 2022
Update 6:10 A.M. Air Quality Measurements
Update 6:00 A.M. Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Briefing and Infrared Maps for Thursday, July 21, 2022
July 21, 2022 - Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park is at 4,856 Acres and 58% Containment.
Update 9:35 A.M. Daily Update
Percent Contained: 58%
Start Date: July 7, 2022 Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 4,856 acres Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,330
Weather/Fire Conditions: The fire continues to burn slowly in thick unburned fuels on the northeast and eastern edge of the fire. Firefighters continue to make solid gains of containment with the handline along the South Fork of the Merced River working east with the Inyo Hotshots using pump systems out of the river to assist them. 9 hotshot crews are working this section in difficult terrain. Spotfires have been greatly reduced in this area. The fireline around Mount Raymond is holding and conditions in that section have greatly improved. Crews continue to mop-up and patrol along Wawona Rd (Yosemite’s Highway 41) as well as around Mariposa Grove. Crews are now beginning to backhaul the hose they laid in the initial stages of the Washburn Fire as the fire begins to move into suppression-repair status in certain sections. The forecast predicts temperatures in the high 80s to 90s with humidity in the upper teens to mid 20s. Light winds will push the smoke west with some lingering in drainages. For smoke conditions: Washburn Fire Smoke Report
Wawona Repopulation: The community of Wawona is open ONLY to Wawona residents, property owners, and NPS employees. Please read the Wawona repopulation Frequently Asked Questions. And for any alerts in Yosemite National Park keep updated by visiting: http://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/repopulation.htm
Closures: Wawona,Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed to the general public until further notice and it is evaluated daily. The South Entrance remains closed. 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. Reservations are still required from 6:00 am – 4:00 pm; visit: www.recreation.gov.
Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions are in effect below 8,000 feet of elevation and smoking is restricted park wide until further notice. The residences of Wawona, El Portal, and Foresta are on a strict fire restriction due to extreme potential fire danger. For more information visit: Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions
Sierra National Forest Washburn Fire Closure Order: The Washburn Fire is active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect the public, the Sierra National Forest has a Fire Closure Forest Order effective from July 15, 2022 through August 1, 2022. The lands affected are less than 3% of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. The 8 closed roads are on the Bass Lake Ranger District: Road 5S06 Mtn. Raymond Rd, 5S22 Big Sandy Rd, 5S43 White Chief Mtn. Rd, 6S10 Sky Ranch Rd, 5S40Y Lost Lake Rd, 5S40Z Lost Lake Rd, 5S04 Chiquito Lake Rd, 5S70A Red Top Rd. For a detailed description including a map, please view the following link: Forest Order 05-15-00-22-15. Please be advised that USFS law enforcement is on patrol. We thank all members of the public for avoiding the closure area so that incident personnel may stay focused on the difficult and dangerous work that remains.
Tip Line: If you were at or near the Mariposa Grove on July 7, 2022, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) Call/Text: (888)-653-0009 Email: nps_isb@nps.gov Online: Submit a Tip
Basic Information
| Current as of | 7/21/2022, 6:56:18 AM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Location | Southern portion of Yosemite National Park; Sierra National Forest. |
| Incident Commander | Mike Wakoski, California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. |
| Incident Description | Full Suppression. |
| Coordinates | 37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,330 |
| Size | 4,856 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 58% |
| 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 |
Active, Flanking, Backing, Creeping. Successful suppression actions have resulted in diminished fire behavior on all portions of the fire. The fire continues to burn in heavy dead and down timber fuels on the eastern portion of the fire within constructed lines. A very persistent warm and dry weather pattern continues to support the potential of active-to-very active fire behavior today. Primary area of fire behavior focus includes the S. Fk. Merced River upstream to the Iron Cr. and Johnson Cr. areas where most of the current activity is occurring. Progressive heat loss, with length of time since burning, combined with the aggressive mop-up that will be occurring will provide additional security to fire lines. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Continue to secure and reinforce the Hwy 41 corridor, Mariposa Grove Rd., and continue to construct handline and dozer line from Wawona Point to the West and North to South Fork of the Merced River. Protect remote cabins within Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest. Continue to construct handline where possible in the Iron Creek drainage area. Continue contingency line construction South of the incident. |
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Minimal fire spread was observed on the east flank of the fire south of the S. Fork. Merced River near Iron Creek that included flare-ups, and continued consumption of heavy fuels on steep slopes. Very persistent warm and dry weather continues to produce pockets of interior active fire behavior, that will extend into the evening due to low relative humidity. Downslope and down drainage wind flow will continue to provide diminishing smoke accumulation in the valleys during the night under a strong inversion, while southwest winds at higher elevations retain a relatively clear sky. 24 hours: Continuation of warm/dry weather will produce the potential for active fire behavior during the period, with the burning conditions extending into the evening due to poor relative humidity recovery on higher terrain. Generally light winds will produce pockets of isolated backing on slopes with flanking, and isolated torching within the control lines. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will provide clear sky and good ventilation. Continued potential for spotting north of the South Fork Merced River in the Johnson Creek area, and across Iron Cr. to the east as the fire consumes residual fuels near the containment lines. 48 hours: Warm and dry conditions combined with poor-fair night time relative humidity will maintain the potential of active to very active fire behavior. Expect isolated interior pockets of fuel consumption through creeping, smoldering, with occasional flare-ups. Diminishing heat sources, aggressive mop-up, and time since burning will provide additional security to prevent escape from control lines. 72 hours: Persistent warm and dry weather pattern will maintain the potential for active to very active fire behavior. Expect a continued significant reduction in fire activity due to successful suppression activities and diminishing heat from fewer sources. Minimal smoke will be visible in the late afternoon with southwesterly transport wind. Nighttime cooling will allow smoke to accumulate in the valleys due to downslope flow and a strong inversion. Anticipated after 72 hours: The persistent pattern of warm and dry conditions continues with very little change overall. Conditions will be present that provide the potential for active to very active fire behavior, but with diminishing heat sources and successful suppression efforts the threat of spread or escape will be minimized. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
Synopsis: High pressure will produce another warm and dry day across the fire area. The prevailing winds will be out of the west-southwest, but most of the fireline will continue to be impacted by light, terrain-driven winds becoming upslope/upcanyon in the afternoon. Elevations above 7500 feet will see some gusts up to 20 mph. Observed Weather Conditions July 20, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 3-7 mph gusts to 17 mph. Temp Highs 8 1-90 Direction West-southwest RH 19-29% Forecasted Weather for Next Operational Period ¿ July 21, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 4-8 mph gusts to 18 mp |
Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Wednesday, July 20, 2022
