Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Phone: 209-819-7246 Email: 2022.washburn@firenet.gov Online Updates: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8209/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteFire Twitter: https://twitter.com/YosemiteFire Instagram: https://instagram.com/yosemitefire/ Website: https//nps.gov/yose Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove Percent Contained: 22%
Start Date: July 7, 2022 Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3221 acres (+881) Number of Personnel Assigned: 649 (+104) Summary: The Washburn Fire was reported on July 7th, near the Washburn Trail in the Mariposa Grove area of Yosemite National Park. A full initial attack response was dispatched including Yosemite NP Fire resources, state and local cooperators. California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 assumed command of this full suppression fire on Saturday, July 9th. Weather Conditions: The weather for the coming week will continue to be warm and dry due to a strengthening high pressure system over the area. Expect winds over the fire area to remain light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity’s will be in the 20-30% range. Fuels in the Fire Path: The area in which the fire is burning contains a very heavy accumulation of fuels (trees in various forms and stages) on the ground as well as part of the understory. This old growth habitat is a combination of dead large diameter trees and timber litter on the ground (many feet thick in some cases) in combination with thick growing conifers and shrubs, much of which has been largely untouched for many decades. The more than 500 mature giant sequoias of the Mariposa Grove are adjacent to these fuels and have so far avoided serious damage from the Washburn Fire. Most of these trees are over 2000 years old and have experienced fire many times throughout their lives. Projected Incident Activity and Suppression Strategy: The combination of continued warm and dry weather conditions along with the heavy accumulation of large fuels is creating the perfect recipe for the very active fire behavior we are seeing. Observers from a distance should expect to see heavy smoke production for the next few days as the fire activity increases each afternoon when the temperatures are at their highest and relative humidity’s are at their lowest, this is expected and not a direct threat to the giant sequoias. And while sections of the fire are not able to be fought head-on by fire crews due to the safety risk for firefighters, much of the rest of the fire is being successfully suppressed, fire lines are being strengthened, unburned fuel in the path of the fire are being burned to “starve the fire” and hot spots are being cooled. Areas which were initially evacuated are being monitored and safeguarded and as soon as it is determined to be safe, these areas will be able to welcome folks back home. Resources from around the country continue to arrive on the incident. It is important to remember that once an area has had fire, there is often a great deal of work required to make the area safe for people again. It should be made clear that there was, in no way, a hesitation in responding to and attacking this fire with all available resources and this is the continued suppression strategy. Evacuations & Closures: Wawona, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed until further notice. All other areas of Yosemite National Park are open. Use El Portal Rd (Hwy 140) or Big Oak Flat Rd. (Hwy 120 East) or Tioga Rd (Hwy 120 West) to enter Yosemite. The Rest of the Park Remains Open and reservations are still required; visit www.recreation.gov. We appreciate the patience of the public as visitors experience longer waits at the other entrances while the South Entrance remains closed. For road, campground, and other information visit www.nps.gov/yose.EXPECT SMOKEY CONDITIONS WITHIN THE PARK. Visit: fire.airnow.gov/ to view conditions in your area.
Aviation / Drone Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been issued and any private aircraft or drone violating the TFR could face serious criminal charges. For more information on drones visit: knowbeforeyoufly.org
“If you fly, we can’t!” ##
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