Yosemite Pika Fire on Monday, July 10th.
July 12, 2023 - Yosemite National Park Fire officials report Yosemite Fire crews are using a confine and contain strategy utilizing natural barriers and trails. The fire has slow growth, with some isolated active pockets northwest of North Dome.
A confine and contain strategy under favorable conditions allows fire to move naturally across the landscape, providing ecological benefits to plants and wildlife, while also meeting protection objectives to minimize risk to people and infrastructure.
Trail closures went into effect Tuesday evening, impacting short sections of the North Dome Trail and Lehamite Creek Trail. A trail closure map can be seen HERE.
Smoke impacts from the Pika Fire are expected to impact Yosemite Valley in the evening and overnight with conditions improving as smoke lifts during the afternoons. Impacts may also be seen in the surrounding communities of Groveland, El Portal, and Lee Vining. To monitor smoke in your area and take precautions for your health, please visit Current Air Quality and Smoke Monitoring - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
More information is available here: Pika Fire - Inciweb
Source: NPS
More information:
Lightning fire started on 6/29/2023.
Current fire activity has been light. The majority of fire spread occurred on the western flank, with fire behavior creeping and backing. We have been seeing an increase in fire behavior around 1400 daily.
Crews are actively engaged in firing operations - additional smoke and fire activity may be seen over the next few days.
| Current as of | Wed, 07/12/2023 - 13:58 |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning/Natural |
| Date of Origin | Thu, 06/29/2023 - 09:20 |
| Location | Northwest of North Dome |
| Incident Commander | NPS |
| Coordinates | 37° 45' 47'' Latitude -119° 33' 35
'' Longitude |
| Total Personnel: | 40 |
|---|---|
| Size | 40 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 0% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 07/30/2023 |
| Fuels Involved |
Timber (Litter and Understory), Brush (2 feet). |
| Significant Events |
Minimal; smoldering, creeping, backing. |
| Planned Actions |
Trail closures will go into effect the afternoon of 7/11. Additional crew will arrive 7/11 & 7/12. Work will continue to complete hose lays. Continue to monitor weather and fire behavior, including smoke impacts. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Crews will continue with indirect line construction utilizing natural barriers for fire growth 24 hours: Crews will finish indirect hand line construction and look at opportunities for firing operations - trail closures will go into effect 48 hours: Crews will implement firing operations while monitoring weather and fire behavior, including smoke impacts. 72 hours: Continue with firing operations with both aerial and hand ignitions, while monitoring weather and fire behavior, including smoke impacts. Anticipated after 72 hours: Complete firing operations, transition to patrol and monitor |
| Weather Concerns |
Forecast calls for hot and dry conditions, with an excessive heat warning expected by the end of this week. |
|---|
