Glacier Point Road and Areas South Still Closed Due to Fires

The north flank was most active yesterday, August 30th, as it burned into intermittent heavy pockets of fuel. The south and west flanks of the fire are contained, some smoke and glow at night will be visible form Wawona as logs and brush burn in the interior. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this
morning.Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the flanks closest to the community of Wawona and Mariposa Grove. Crews are continuing containment strategies on the north-west edge of the fire and to keep fire south and south-east of Chilnualna Creek. The north and east flank of the fire is continuing to burn in the wilderness, and will be monitored by aircraft due to inaccessible and steep terrain. As fire burns into the high country wilderness it will burn actively through pockets of dense vegetation but will then slow down as it progresses into sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers limiting smoke production. This high country wilderness area has few high values at risk.

Estimated Start Date: 8/1/17
Location: N 37° 38.673′ x W 119° 37.096′ at roughly 7300 feet elevation, 1 mile east of Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area and 3/4 mile south of Glacier Point Road
Size: 4,150 acresYesterday, August 30th, growth of the fire was moderated due to lower temperatures, higher humidities and cloud cover. Light precipitation was received over the fire area this morning. The west and northwest flanks of the fire are contained and showed minimal activity.

Fire crews are implementing a perimeter control strategy for the north, west, and southern flanks of the fire to protect Bridalveil Campground, Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, Yosemite West subdivision, Wawona Road (Highway 41), and Glacier Point road. There was a firing operation on the south flank of the fire to tie in containment lines on the Deer Camp trail. Fire management personnel are implementing this strategy on three sides of the fire to also limit further smoke production in heavy fuels. Strategy for the east flank of the fire is to steer fire east deeper into the wilderness where there is sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers, which will slow spread and limit smoke production. This high country wilderness area is very steep and rugged and has few high values at risk.

Glacier Point road is closed to the public due to fire fighter safety to conduct tree felling and vegetation clearance; conditions are being assessed as to when the road can be opened again. Additional crews and engines are on order to support these operations.