Carol from Indiana writes in to ask:
“What’s happening in the high country behind half dome? On the live web cam from yosemite.org , from Sentinal Dome, there’s smoke rising. I thought I saw it yesterday, and now it’s even bigger. Is it another prescribed burn or something worse.”
Well Carol there are a number of fires burning in the park right now. All are due to lightning from the recent wave of storms that passed through. Since fire is a natural process that is beneficial to the environment, most of the fires will be monitored and allowed to burn with the exception of the Repeater Fire which is in a Fire Suppression Zone. Here’s a list of current fire activity within the park.
Repeater Fire
This fire is located 1.5 miles Northeast of North Mountain, in Tuolumne Co. It is currently a quarter of an acre, at approximately 5000’ elevation. It is near containment. Crews are on scene and will suppress this fire.
Grant Fire
This fire is located approximately two miles northeast of Mt Hoffman, near the Grant Lakes basin in Mariposa Co. It is currently .10 acre and burning in Lodgepole pine at 9200’ elevation and smoke is visible from Tioga Road. It has moderate potential for growth.
Tiltill Fire
This a fire in a green tree and is one half mile north/northwest of Rancheria Creek, in Tuolumne Co. It is at 5773’ elevation. It is inactive.
Polly Fire
This fire is approximately one-half mile northwest from Polly Dome Lakes. Fire size is currently 50’ x 20’, with a northwest aspect at 8734’ elevation, in Mariposa Co. Smoke is may be visible from the trails between May Lake and Glen Aulin. Please stay out of the fire area and use caution if hiking in this area. It has low to moderate potential for growth.
Echo Valley
Fire size is .10 of an acre, north of Merced Lake, in Mariposa Co. It is at 8600’ elevation with a southwest aspect, in dead and down logs. Flames were observed and this fire has moderate potential for growth.
Babcock
Fire size is one quarter acre in patchy fuels and rock, in Mariposa Co. It is at the 8983’ elevation, with a north aspect. This fire has a low to moderate potential for growth.
You can find more fire information on the NPS website at http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/fire/current.htm.
Thanks again, Carol.