9,000 Lightning Strikes Ignite 51 Fires In State

Yosemite National Park lightning fires

Sonora, CA – The recent storm system that passed over the Sierra Mountains sparked fires across the state and right here in the Mother Lode.

CAL Fire reported that California was struck by 9,117 lightning bolts, sparking 51 fires from July 14 to July 16.

“The fires posed immediate threats to communities and natural landscapes. However, our firefighters responded swiftly, containing 46 of these fires before they could exceed five acres in size,” according to CAL Fire. “This rapid and aggressive action highlights the dedication of our firefighters, working tirelessly to safeguard the people and protect the property and natural resources of California from wildfire.”

Of those fires that ignited, 12 erupted in Yosemite National Park, while 5 blazes and 3 smoke checks occurred in Stanislaus National Forest.

Yosemite National Park has seen multiple thunderstorms over the past week that produced these lightning strike fires in high-elevation wilderness ranging from 4,700 to 9,800 feet. Currently, fire managers are assessing conditions and response. Already contained are the Aspen, Grove, Dog Leg, Smith, Dewey, and Harden fires. Those still with firefighters on the scene providing updates on conditions are the Indian, Porcupine, Cascade, Wegner, Eagle Creek, and Dorothy fires. CAL Fire advised that some of these blazes are not accessible due to rough terrain and are being assessed by air, while reaching others will require crews hiking to the locations. They added, “Some areas of the park received precipitation from these storms; as conditions dry out, we may see additional fires.”

Yosemite fire officials provided this update on lightning strike fires in the park:

Aspen:

Location: One mile west of Aspen Valley.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 100%                                        Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 6,200’

Grove:

Location: Northwest of Crane Flat, near Tuolumne Grove Road.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 100%                                        Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 4,700’

Dog Leg:

Location: Northeast of Crane Flat, near Unicorn Creek.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 100%                                        Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 5,200’

Smith:

Location: Southeast of Smith Peak, south of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 100%                                        Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 7,200’

Dewey:

Location: Southwest of Dewey Point.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 100%                                        Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 7,200’

Harden:

Location: Northwest of White Wolf, west of Harden Lake.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 100%                                        Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 7,200’

Indian:

Location: South of Tioga Road, west of Lehamite Creek.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 0%                                             Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 7,400’

Porcupine:

Location: North of Tioga Road, southwest of Wegner Lake.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 0%                                             Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 9,800’

Cascade:

Location: South of Tioga Road, west of Yosemite Creek.

Discovery Date: July 13, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 0%                                             Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 7,600’

Wegner:

Location: Near Mount Hoffman.

Discovery Date: July 16, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 0%                                             Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 9,500’

Eagle Creek:

Location: East of Lukens Lake Trail, west of Yosemite Creek.

Discovery Date: July 16, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 0%                                             Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 7,900’

Dorothy:

Location: Just south of Dorothy Lake.

Discovery Date: July 16, 2024                     Size: 0.1 acre

Containment: 0%                                             Cause: Lightning

Elevation: 9,600’

Stanislaus National Forest fire officials also provided an update on fire activity over the weekend and into the beginning of this week. They noted that all of these blazes are small but did not give their sizes:

• Duck Fire – Calaveras Ranger District, between Inspiration Point and Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead
• Sardine Fire – Summit Ranger District, between Eagle Meadows Campground and Kennedy Meadows Pack Station
• Ackerson Fire  – Groveland Ranger District, between Ackerson Creek and Forest Service Road 1S25
• Porka Fire – between Kennedy Meadows and Chipmunk Flat Campground
• Wheeler Fire – Calaveras Ranger District, near Wheeler Peak

Several smoke checks were also done in the forest, including near Highland Lake, near Brightman Fire Station in the Summit District, and at Read Peak in the Calaveras District. Additionally, forest and Yosemite fire crews provided resources for fire suppression efforts and smoke checks.