Current as of

7/22/2022, 7:00:32 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

Total Personnel

1,129

Size

4,856 Acres

Percent of Perimeter Contained

79%

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.

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

24 hours: Continuing 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 ridge top 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.

Weather Concerns

Synopsis: Very dry conditions were observed today with humidity values in the single digits around the fire. Some gusty west winds to 25 mph were observed over the higher elevations of the fire. The warm, dry and breezy weather produced near critical fire weather conditions across the fire through this afternoon. Winds will ease after dark. Expect better but still poor humidity recovery overnight into Saturday. Quiet weather pattern continues into the weekend.

Observed Weather Conditions July 22, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 4-8 mph gusts to 15 mph except 25 mph exposed ridges Temp Highs 8 1-92 Direction West-northwest RH 8-18%

Forecasted Weather for Next Operational Period July 23, 2022: Wind Speed / Max. Gust Sustained 3-6 mph gusts to 15 mph. Temp Highs 79-90 Direction West-southwest RH 15-25%.