Monday, July 24 Update:
Lighting Caused Pika Fire in Yosemite National Park Monday Morning, July 24 Update: 840 Acres with 30% Containment – Trail Closures in Effect
July 21, 2023 - Yosemite National Park fire crews are actively engaged in firing operations - additional smoke and fire activity will be seen over the next few days in Yosemite Valley.
As of Friday morning the fire is at 840 Acres with 20% Containment
Smoke from the Pika Fire has been impacting Yosemite Valley overnight and into the morning with conditions improving as smoke lifts during the afternoon. The AQI is "hazardous" in Yosemite Valley this morning. Similar conditions are expected tonight into tomorrow morning. 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)
| Current as of | Fri, 07/21/2023 - 12:22 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 840 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 20% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 07/30/2023 |
| Fuels Involved |
Timber (Litter and Understory), Brush (2 feet). |
| Significant Events |
Yosemite Fire crews are using a management strategy utilizing natural barriers and trails to confine the spread of the fire in a predefined area. 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. The southern and eastern areas of the fire perimeter are well contained. The fire has exhibited moderate growth with some isolated active pockets northwest of North Dome. Crews remain to ensure the fire stays within the current controlled perimeter and will continue to monitor for the coming weeks. Trail closures will continue to be in effect, impacting short sections of the North Dome Trail and Lehamite Creek. |
| Planned Actions |
Trail closures went into effect the afternoon of 7/11. Continue to monitor weather and fire behavior, including smoke impacts. Resources are continuing to hold and patrol. |
|---|---|
| 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 a continued excessive heat warning through the middle of this week. |
|---|
Previous Information:
Lighting Caused Pika Fire in Yosemite National Park Wednesday Morning Update: 825 Acres with 20% Containment – Trail Closures in Effect
Source: NPS
