YOSEMITE – The lightning caused Meadow Fire is now 98% contained. Crews have held it at 4,772 acres, and firefighters continue to confine, contain and monitor the fire area. Estimated full containment date is Sept. 29.
The area received a quarter-inch of rain, accompanied by thunderstorms over the weekend. Even with the precipitation, the northwest corner of the fire remains active.
Light smoke is periodically visible from various locations within the park.
Given the large areas heat within interior, minimal smoke is being produced, but fire activity within containment lines is expected to continue.
The fire is now being managed by a Type 4 organization, with one 8-person wilderness fire module spiked out monitoring the fire.
The Meadow Fire is located within the designated wilderness of the Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County and is currently within Little Yosemite Valley between Half Dome and Mount Starr King on both sides of the Merced River. The fire spread significantly due to a wind event which occurred on Sept. 7.
In Yosemite National Park, fire managers operate within the federal guidelines to assess new naturally caused fires, long enough to determine the threat or benefit the fire may or may not have on the parks ecology. Most fires within the Yosemite National Park naturally burn themselves out. Only a small number of fires show potential for large fire growth and fire suppression action is needed to mitigate the threat to resources. Fire is an important component to the health of the parks sensitive ecology.
