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View of Yosemite Valley on Monday morning, July 18, 2022 as seen from the Yosemite Conservancy Web Cam

Washburn Fire: Residents Return to Wawona as Containment Grows

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 4,911 acres and 50% contained. On Sunday, July 17, 2022, residents and property owners returned to a smoky Wawona and this morning, Monday, July 18, 2022, the Wawona Road (Highway 41) was opened for employees only. Helpful links are available at the end of the article.

Wawona Residents returning to their homes through the South Entrance to Yosemite on the Wawona Road (Highway 41)

Wawona Road

Wawona Road (the continuation of Highway 41 into Yosemite) from the south boundary of the park to Yosemite West remains closed to the public until further notice. However, it will open 24 hours per day to people who reside or work in Yosemite or Yosemite West on July 18 at 6 am with no escorts. The community of Wawona remains closed except to Wawona residents and property owners. Check https://go.nps.gov/repop for details.

The Wawona Road (Highway 41) is closed to the public from the South Entrance to Henness Ridge Road. Yosemite West remains accessible from the northern side of the Wawona road. The Mariposa Grove is closed until further notice.

Washburn Fire Public Information Map for Monday, July 18, 2022

Fire Managers Plans

Fire managers planned actions are to continue to secure and reinforce the Hwy 41 corridor and the  Mariposa Grove Road, and continue to construct handline and dozer line from Wawona Point to the west and north to South Fork of the Merced River. Protect remote cabins within Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest. Continue to construct handline where possible in the Iron Creek drainage area and continue contingency line construction south of the incident.

Washburn Fire History Map

The Mariposa Grove

The giant sequoias of the Mariposa Grove have avoided serious damage from the Washburn Fire due, largely in part, to prescribed burns that have taken part over the last several years. Most of these trees are over 2000 years old and have experienced fire many times throughout their lives. More information about fire in YNP is available at Fire Ecology of Yosemite National Park  and Sequoias trees, forest condition and resource protection efforts.

HELPFUL LINKS

Inciweb official incident information

Evacuation Map

Deadwood Wildfire Alert Camera

Yosemite Fire and Aviation Facebook Page

#FireMappers interactive map

CalTopo Fire Map

Yosemite Conservancy Web Cams

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