YOSEMITE – A fire that is being called the Fireplace Fire was reported at 6:30 a.m. this morning by Signal Peak Lookout.
The fire is burning in Yosemite National Park in the area of Fireplace Bluffs, on the north rim of the Valley, and west of El Capitan. It is between two trails – the Old Coulterville Road, and the trail to El Capitan from Tamarack Flat campground – directly across from Tunnel View.
Yosemite Helicopter 551 did a reconnaissance flight over the location and found the smoldering and creeping fire burning through brush and timber, with 1 – 2 ft. flame lengths and some single tree torching.
Suppression activities involve two helicopters, one helitack crew, one Yosemite engine crew and the Sierra National Forest Hot Shots. The fire is visible from many Yosemite National Park locations, including Glacier Point, Wawona, Big Oak Flat and Valley Roads. Smoke is also visible in the communities of Foresta and Yosemite West.
By late afternoon, the fire had grown to 5 acres, but with fire suppression efforts, the visible smoke had diminished. As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, the Fireplace Fire was 75% contained.
No trails are closed and the fire poses no threat to park infrastructure or facilities. To avoid periodic smoke, hikers are urged to pass through the area quickly.
For additional information:
Fire Information: gary_wuchner@nps.gov; (209) 372-0480, or (209) 742-8990
Yosemite National Park Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm
Yosemite Wildland Fire Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite -Wildland-Fire/12463296455395
Fireplace Fire – 37 44.068 x 119 40.949; El. 7,000′ Mariposa County
