YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–The Washburn Fire has been burning since July 7th, 2022, in Yosemite National Park (YNP) near the Mariposa Grove. The fire is currently 4,822 acres and 37% contained. One week ago the residents and visitors of Wawona and the campgrounds were evacuated. Tomorrow, Sunday, July 17th, the residents and property owners will be allowed to return. However, the area will remain closed to visitors.
Washburn Fire Evacuation Map
Residents and property owners may return to Wawona residences on Sunday, July 17, at 8 am. Residents, please read the frequently asked questions for important details.
South Entrance, Wawona Campground, and non-NPS resident employees: check with your supervisor before returning.
Residents must show a photo ID and a proof of residency document. NPS seasonal residents only need a photo ID.
Checkpoint staff will have a list of seasonal residents. Escort is mandatory when entering and leaving via Wawona Road between South Entrance and Wawona and is only available from 8 am to 8 pm. Access between Yosemite West in Wawona is only available from 8 am to 8 pm, but without escorts.
Wawona, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed until further notice. The South Entrance remains closed. All other areas of Yosemite National Park are open. Use El Portal Rd (Hwy 140) or Big Oak Flat Rd. (Hwy 120 East) or Tioga Rd (Hwy 120 West) to enter Yosemite. Reservations are still required; visit www.recreation.gov.
Screenshot from Wawona webcam https://www.yosemite.com/yosemite-webcams/uc-merced-field-station-webcam/
No homes or other structures were damaged by the fire. If you own a rental or vacation property but do not normally live in Wawona and can delay your trip several days, please do so if possible. The first goal is to return people to their year-round homes. Due to the amount of fire traffic that will remain in the community, minimizing traffic will remain important for some time. We are sympathetic to everyone’s desire to see the results of this fire, but that will be here for years to come, so if you can delay your trip after we repopulate, we would greatly appreciate it. For a current view of Wawona there is a live webcam here.
July 17, 2022 Official Fire Update
Washburn Fire Public Information Map for Saturday, 7.16.2022.
Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Phone: 209-819-7246
Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove Percent Contained: 37%
Start Date: July 7, 2022 Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 4,822 acres Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,623
Weather/Fire Conditions: Weather continues to stay consistently warm and dry with active to very active fire behavior. This active behavior will possibly include group torching as fire backs down to the Merced River and upstream near Iron Creek. Mop up and hazard tree removal operations are in place along Yosemite’s Wawona Rd and Mariposa Grove. Expect winds over the incident area to remain light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity is predicted to be in the 22-32% range.
It should be noted that to date all structures remain unharmed and no serious injuries have been inflicted on this incident.
Forest Order No. 05-15-00-22-15 Sierra National Forest Washburn Fire Closure Order Exhibit A
The Washburn Fire is now active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect public safety during the Washburn Fire, the Sierra National Forest has issued a Washburn Fire Closure Forest Order:
Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions: Starting July 16, fire restrictions are in effect below 8,000 feet of elevation and smoking is restricted park wide. The residences of El Portal and Foresta are on a strict fire restriction due to high potential fire danger. For more information, please visit Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions.
In this photo provided by the National Park Service, the Washburn Fire burns next to a roadway north of the Wawona Hotel, Monday, July 11, 2022. National Park Service via Associated Press
HELPFUL LINKS
Inciweb official incident information
Deadwood Wildfire Alert Camera
Yosemite Fire and Aviation Facebook Page
To submit pictures and videos to Sierra News Online email news@sierranewsonline.com
