Fire Updates July 6, 2015

New lightning caused fires:

It’s a hot, dry summer and the fire danger is extermely high in the Sierra. Several fires were spawned by last weeks thunderstorms and are now being actively monitored.

Most of the fires are small; single tree strikes that amount to less than a tenth of an acre. The fires are in the wilderness and are being monitored by either Yosemite fire crews hiking into the fire areas or via air reconnaissance due to location, sparse fuels, and low growth potential.

At this time there are no road or trail closures and the park remains open. Smoke is staying local over the fires and has not been observed traveling to any smoke sensitive areas.

All visitors are urged to use established campgrounds for fires. In all campfires, when departing, please be sure fires are completely out.

Indian Canyon (37 47.532 x 119 35.148 – Mariposa Co. at 7200’ el., July 3). This fire is between the Tioga Rd and the Yosemite Valley. It is less than .1 acre in size. It is smoldering and creeping, with a low rate of spread, and is burning in two snags within timber and needle cast. It is an area of few recent fires.

McGurk ( No Lat x long – Mariposa Co. at 7800’ el., July 2). This fire is within the McGurk Meadow, near a trail to Dewey Point from Glacier Point Road. It has low potential for spread, and was found to be in a single green lodgepole pine. It is surrounded by green grass, and is smoldering in a short needle/lodgepole pine forest around meadow. It has little potential for spread.

Porcupine Flat (37 48.962 x 119 34.416 – Mariposa Co., at 8000’, July 3). The top of a single green red fir tree was struck by lightning. There is no ground fire, but smoke may be seen from the Tioga Road. It has low potential for growth.

Smokey Jack ( 37 49.693 x 119 41.189 – Tuolumne Co., at 8000’ el., July 3). A single tree was struck. This fire has low to moderate spread potential as it is smoldering and creeping with no visible flame lengths.

White Cascade (37 54.926 x 119 23.780 – Tuolumne Co, at 9000’ el., July 3). This is a remote fire near Glen Aulin High Sierra camp and west of Tuolumne Meadows. It poses no threat to trails and has a low spread potential. It is creeping and smoldering through surface fuels. Smoke or haze may be visible in the area.