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Empire Fire - photo NPS

Empire Fire In Yosemite Is Now 750 Acres

YOSEMITE — The Empire Fire, burning in the wilderness area of Yosemite National Park, is now estimated at 750 acres.

Smoke from the fire continues to impact surrounding areas, especially in the morning hours.

The fire is burning in red fir timber, dormant brush and hardwood slash, with pockets of green leaf manzanita and chinquapin brush as well as heavy dead and down material.

The trail has been closed at Bridalveil Campground to the junction of Ostrander Lake along Alder Creek. Signs have been placed at the affected trails.

There are no threats at this time to infrastructure at Bridalveil Campground and the remainder of the hiking trails in the area remain open.

Park officials continue to monitor and assess the fire and nearby trail systems to determine any threat to Bridalveil Creek campground, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, and any infrastructure in the planning area.

They are also assessing Wawona Road (Highway 41) and Glacier Point Road for removal of heavy down and dead snags in the area as secondary line.

Crews will finish any remaining line prep along Alder Creek trail and a section of line tying Alder Creek into Yosemite Ski and Snowboard area, and will also be preparing a fuel break from the junction of Alder Creek and Deer Camp to the east.

The fire is not being actively suppressed, but being allowed to burn naturally to reduce fuel and diminish the impact of any future catastrophic fires.

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

https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?

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