Update at 5:25 p.m.: CAL FIRE reports that air and ground resources have gained 10 percent containment on the Yosemite National Park Dome Fire, burning north of Wawona in Mariposa County. The acreage remains at 1,177 acres. Park officials report that most activity on the blaze today was on the west and north flanks. Ground crews continued constructing direct hand lines and looking for opportunities to tie the fire into previous fire footprints and granite features. According to park officials, “Three more hotshot crews were flown into the fire today to reinforce work on the fire perimeter from the heel of the fire and on the east and west flanks.”
Additionally, park officials noted, “Last night, spot fires were seen to the north of the fire due to gusty ridge winds from the south and southeast. Some spot fires are in areas with no fire history, while others are creeping and smoldering in the 2017 Empire Fire footprint.
Air resources battled the blaze again today, concentrating on strengthening the western flank. There is visible smoke in the sky above the park, with good to unhealthy air quality conditions today as the fire continues to burn through grass, brush, and timber fuels. The personnel on scene battling the blaze rose today from 187 to 386. Click here for the Yosemite National Park Public Information Map.
Original post at 1:18 p.m.: Mariposa County, CA – Firefighters have kept the Yosemite National Park Dome Fire acreage from growing overnight, but containment remains at zero.
The blaze, burning north of Wawona in Mariposa County, remains 1,177 acres. CAL FIRE reports that a California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 is heading to the Dome Fire and is scheduled to take command later today.
Park fire officials today report, “The Dome fire continues to have a moderate rate of spread to the north and northeast as it runs up-slope aligned with terrain and wind. The fire is burning through grass, brush, and timber fuels, resulting in visible smoke from the Wawona Road (Highway 41). The fire is in the wilderness and difficult to access due to steep, rugged terrain.”
Yesterday evening, CAL FIRE relayed that firefighters engaged the flames burning in a remote area of Yosemite National Park with limited access. The fire made upslope runs aligned with terrain and wind. Short-range spotting was observed.
Today, fire crews and air resources continued their efforts to fully suppress the fire. Air quality remains at good to moderate levels in Wawona and Yosemite Valley.
CAL FIRE air resources are assigned and supporting firefighting operations. Currently, 187 personnel are working the fire. Click here for the Yosemite National Park Public Information Map.
