Yosemite Pika Fire on Wednesday, July 12th.
July 13, 2023 - Yosemite National Park Fire officials report Yosemite Fire crews are using a confine and contain strategy utilizing natural barriers and trails. 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.
Smoke from the Pika Fire has been impacting Yosemite Valley overnight and into the morning with conditions improving as smoke lifts during the afternoon. Unhealthy conditions were experienced last night and this morning in Yosemite Valley and conditions are expected to be similar tomorrow. Slight impacts may also be observed in the surrounding communities of El Portal and Groveland. 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)
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.
More information is available here: Pika Fire - Inciweb
Source: NPS
More Information:
Current as of | Thu, 07/13/2023 - 14:00 |
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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 |
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Size | 50 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 went into effect the afternoon of 7/11. Additional crew arrived 7/11 & 7/12. Hose lays completed, active firing to complete today. Continue to monitor weather and fire behavior, including smoke impacts. |
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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. |
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Previous Information:
Lighting Caused Pika Fire in Yosemite National Park at 40 Acres on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 – Trail Closures Announced