YOSEMITE — Residents of the areas surrounding Yosemite National Park may be seeing smoke from a lightning-caused fire inside the park.
The Empire Fire was reported on the night of July 31, and is currently estimated at 147 acres.
This fire is being managed for multiple objectives — both protection and resources, say park officials.
The Empire Fire is approximately one mile south of the Bridalveil Campground between Alder Creek and Bridalveil Creek on a north-northeast aspect at about 7,300 ft. elevation.
It is burning in an over-story of red fir, in forest ground litter, needle duff, and dead and down red fir. Fire behavior is reported as creeping and smoldering, and backing and flanking on the northwest and northeast sections of the fire.
Crews are on scene and will continue to monitor this fire. The wilderness area in which the fire is burning is in a fire-adapted forest ecosystem, say park officials.
“By allowing fires to burn naturally we can ensure a healthier, more diverse and natural forest. Most importantly, managing fires under the right conditions can reduce fuels and thereafter reduce the intensity of future fires.”
There are reportedly no threats to the area, Bridalveil Campground, or the hiking trails at this time. Both the Alder Creek trail and Bridalveil trail are being assessed by fire crews.
The fire will be seen from the high country and may be seen from viewpoints in the immediate area off Glacier Point Road. Smoke will be seen in the fire area and may impact the Bridalveil Campground.
Fire Managers are working with the local Air Quality Districts and will continually be monitoring smoke impacts to the park and local communities. Community members who are sensitive to smoke may want to close their windows and doors and continually monitor the attached air quality links.
Empire Fire: N 37° 38.673′ x W 119° 37.096′ at approximately 7300 feet elevation
For additional Information:
Fire Information: Yose_Fire_Info@nps.gov
Yosemite National Park Fire Information website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395
Twitter: https://twitter.com/YosemiteFire
Air Quality: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm
