YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–Several fires continue to burn in Yosemite National Park (YNP) including the Red and Rodgers Fires which have been burning since the beginning of August. The park also has several lightning caused fires that are all less than 1/4 of an acre and contained except one fire, The Empire Fire.
Current Fire Activity
As of Friday, September 16, 2022
Precipitation is predicted to enter the fire area over the weekend, and fire activity is expected to decrease considerably. Fire behavior will be dependent on weather, with slightly more activity visible when conditions are clear and dry.
RODGERS FIRE
Location: Northwest of Rodgers Canyon and southwest of Pleasant Valley
Elevation: 8,100
Discover date: August 8, 2022
Size: 2,785
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 15
No recent fire history; burning in mixed conifer and red fir litter, and dead and down logs. A segment of trail in Rodgers Canyon from Neall Lake to the junction with Table Lake is temporarily closed due to fire activity. The fire has shown minimal activity in several days.
RED FIRE
Location: Between Red Creek and Illilouette Creek
Elevation: 7,800
Discover date: August 4, 2022
Size: 8,364 acres
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 224
Fire History: Burning in the 2001 Hoover Fire footprint in red fir, lodgepole pine litter. Trail closures exist on segments heading out the Illilouette drainage from Glacier Point area to Merced Pass Lake. The Red Fire is only showing isolated heat as pockets of vegetation continues to smolder and occasionally ignite. Crews are “spiked out” at the Red Fire, meaning that they are staying at the remote fire overnight, and are re-supplied by air or by trail crews.
ASPEN FIRE
Location: Northeast of Aspen Valley
Elevation: 6,200
Discover date: September 4, 2022
Size: 26 acres, 100% contained and in patrol status
Cause: under investigation
Fully suppressed, patrol status
Fire History: Burned within the 2013 Rim Fire footprint in snags and whitethorn
No closures, no evacuations
Since September 5, Yosemite Fire and Aviation and partners have responded to multiple new lightning strikes in the park. No closures or evacuations are associated with these incidents at this time. All are/were less than 1/4 acre and have been contained or are being suppressed, unless otherwise noted.
Chiquito Fire: Chiquito Pass/Chain Lakes area, near the park’s southeast boundary—in patrol status
Current Air Quality
Find up-to-date information on park fires in locations around the park, including at Olmstead Point along the Tioga Road. Photo by Tim Evans.
