On Highway 41, a stand of timber remains standing after the fire burned through and under the trees
Credit: InciWeb
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.
Update 3:45 P.M.: CAL FIRE Statewide Fire Update Video for Monday, July 25, 2022
Update 2:45 P.M. Per YNP: Yosemite National Park Announces Areas of Wawona to Reopen on July 25 & 28, 2022
Update for 10:30 A.M. CALFIRE: 4,866 Acres with 87% Containment.
Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove
Percent Contained: 87%
Start Date: July 7, 2022
Cause: Human Caused/Under Investigation
Size: 4,866 acres
Number of Personnel Assigned: 694
Resources Assigned: 16 Hand Crews, 8 Helicopters, 18 Engines, 1 Dozer, 16 Water Tenders
Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: 209-819-7246
Email: 2022.washburn@firenet.gov
Washburn Fire Update- The warm and dry weather pattern will persist for another day over the fire area. The recent dry conditions have allowed firefighters to seek out the remaining portions of heat near the control lines and extinguish them. This operation is referred to as “mopping-up” and is critical to ensure all control lines are secure before firefighters are extracted by helicopter from the more remote portions of the fire. Crews are being assisted by the National Infrared Operations airplane which flies over the fire every night and provides an updated map of the heat sources across the burned area and is used to highlight the location of the hot areas.
Today, resources will focus on mopping-up hot spots near the control lines, backhauling equipment no longer being used, and rehabilitating the areas impacted during fire suppression efforts. Temperatures will remain seasonably warm with continued low humidity values. The main smoke plume from the Oak fire is forecasted to stay north of the Washburn fire. Increasing cumulus clouds are expected to build up to the east of the fire over the Sierra Crest during the afternoon and evening hours. There is a slight chance of isolated showers overnight into Tuesday morning, but wetting rains are not forecasted with less than 0.10 inches expected.
Grub Fire- A new fire start was reported yesterday just after 5:00pm in Ahwahnee, CA. Thanks to an aggressive initial attack by state and federal resources, all forward progress was stopped.
Oak Fire- The Oak Fire currently sits at 16,791 acres and is 10% contained. The Oak Fire started on Friday, July 22nd at Highway 140 and Carstens Road, near Midpines, CA (outside of Yosemite National Park boundaries). Highway 140 and surrounding roads have closures in effect. Information for the Oak Fire can be found by visiting: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/7/22/oak-fire/ or by calling 844-MMU-FIRE (844-668-3473).
Wawona Road (Highway 41) has reopened as of 6:00 am on Saturday, July 23.
Washburn Fire Forest Closure- Forest Order No. 05-15-51-22-27- Effective July 23, 2022 through August 1, 2022. The following roads remain closed: Mt. Raymond Road, Big Sandy Road, White Chief Mtn. Road, Sky Ranch Road (Between its intersections with FS Road 5S40Z and 6S07), Lost Lake Road, Chiquito Lake Road, and Red Top Road. For more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sierra/alerts-notices/?aid=74510
For information regarding Wawona Repopulation or Yosemite National Park Fire restrictions, please visit: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8209/
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.govOnline: Submit a Tip
Update 6:10 A.M. Air Quality Measurements
July 25, 2022 - Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park is at 4,866 Acres and 87% Containment.
Basic Information
| Current as of | 7/24/2022, 10:06:13 PM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Human Caused/under Investigation |
| Location | Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias |
| Incident Commander | Jim Harris, California Interagency Incident Management Team 15. |
| Incident Description | Full Suppression |
| Coordinates | 37.499 latitude, -119.614 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 694 |
| Size | 4,866 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 87% |
| Fuels Involved |
Very heavy accumulations of available dead surface fuels with ample snags, downed logs, and fuel concentrations in an old growth forest landscape. Representative fuels include multi-species conifer 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 |
Creeping, Smoldering. Minimal overnight recovery and very dry conditions, allowed crews to identify the remaining hotspots near the control lines. Crews utilized the Unmanned Aviation System carrying an infrared camera to recon the areas which are inaccessible by ground crews due to terrain. The areas flown are showing diminishing hotspots. |
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: Improving conditions, smoke from the Oak fire, and suppression actions the last several weeks will minimize fire activity overnight. 24 hours: Increased upper level moisture is expected to enter the area improving what has been a persistent, dry airmass. These conditions will cause improved overnight recovery and assist in continuing overall containment of the fire. 48 hours- Heat signatures are expected to continue to diminish as the crews mop-up the remaining portions of heat near the line and the ground fuels burn out. 72 hours: Same as above. Anticipated after 72 hours: Minimal fire activity is anticipated to occur over the next 72 hour period. |
| Remarks |
CAIIMT15 assumed command of the Washburn Fire on 07/23/22 at 7:00pm. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns |
Smoke and haze from the Oak fire lingered over the Washburn fire today. This impacted the fire with slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity along with generally light up canyon winds due to the stable smoke layer. Highs 80-90 Humidity: 14-22% Winds: Southwest 4-7 mph gusts 12 mph |
Click here for: Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park Updates for Sunday, July 24, 2022
