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Washburn Fire Daily Update for July 13, 2022.
Washburn Fire
Publication Type: News 07/13/2022
Start Date: July 7, 2022 Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3772 acres (+256) Number of Personnel Assigned: 1045 (+396)
Weather/Fire Conditions: The weather for the coming week continues to be warm and dry resulting in active to very active fire behavior. This active behavior will include group torching and runs of intense fire in the crowns of trees on slopes. Expect winds over the incident area to remain light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity is predicted to be in the 20-30% range. Weather and fuels will continue to produce a large smoke column each afternoon. Expect smokey conditions. Visit: fire.airnow.gov/ for conditions in your area.
Public Support: Firefighters and participating agencies are grateful for the support expressed in many ways by the local communities and the nationwide public. Many who are working on the fire have also been in situations where wildfire has impacted their personal lives and they can relate to what people and communities are currently experiencing. And although members of the public may not be working on the fire line, it takes an entire community to successfully make it through incidents such as the Washburn Fire. Your patience as the fire is battled and the land is eventually rehabilitated is noticed and very much appreciated.
Fire moves onto the Sierra National Forest (SNF): The Washburn Fire is now active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect public safety during the Washburn Fire, Forest Routes 5S43, 5S06 (Mt. Raymond Rd.), 5S22 and 5S37 have been closed to the public. Please see the attached map. The lands affected are less than 1% of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. This Forest Order 05-15-00-22-14 will be effective from July 13, 2022, through August 1, 2022. Map: Closure Map
Biomass Reduction in Yosemite National Park: For many years there has been a concerted effort to reduce the large amounts of trees (both living and dead) in certain areas within Yosemite National Park. This never-ending task involves thinning trees with a variety of masticating and chipping equipment, chainsaws and through the use of low intensity ground fire when conditions permit. The high severity fire activity we are currently experiencing on the Washburn Fire is the result of fire being fueled by a large forested area with an extremely concentrated biomass. So, who or what benefits from the reduction of the biomass? If you have a chance to visit the Mariposa Grove after the fire you will see the results of a low intensity fire burning in an area where the biomass has already been reduced. The result is that the Mariposa Grove survived, remains in good health and a healthier habitat has been created for local flora and fauna.
Fire Progression: For a daily summary of the fire with Matt Ahearn, Operations Section Chief for California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. Search: http://facebook.com/yosemitefire or on Facebook search: Washburn Fire Morning Briefing with Team 13
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.