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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/

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Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove                   Percent Contained: 50% (-1%)
Start Date: July 7, 2022                                                            Cause: Under Investigation
Size:  4,911 acres (+41)                                                             Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,534 (-49)

Weather/Fire Conditions: With a combination of heavy dead and down fuels and the weather remaining both dry and in a high heat advisory, firefighters are vigorously working to construct hand line west of Iron Creek and north of Mount Raymond. Crews are spiked out picking up spot fires in this division of the fire which continue to be successful. Fire personnel are in the patrolling and mop up phase while hazard tree mitigation operations remain in place along Yosemite’s Wawona Rd and Mariposa Grove.

Observed fire behavior has diminished by successful suppression activities in most portions of the fire’s growth. Having burn scars from 2017’s South Fork Fire provides for a great barrier to help with suppression of the fire by having little to no fuels for the fire to consume. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity is predicted to be in the 15-24% range. . Expect moderate smoke activity on the eastern edge due to the amount of fuels burning off from wind storm wreckage over the winter. Down drainage wind flow will provide smoke accumulation in valleys while higher elevations will remain relatively clear.

For a detailed look at smoke conditions: Washburn Fire Smoke Report 

Wawona Repopulation: The community of Wawona is open ONLY to Wawona residents and property owners, with restrictions including specific time slots and escorts. Please read the Wawona repopulation Frequently Asked Questions .

Evacuations & Closures: Wawona, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed to the general public until further notice. The South Entrance remains closed. 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. Reservations are still required from 6:00 am – 4:00 pm; visit www.recreation.gov.

Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions: Starting July 16, fire restrictions are in effect below 8,000 feet of elevation and smoking is restricted park wide. The residences of Wawona, El Portal and Foresta are on a strict fire restriction due to high potential fire danger. For more information please visit  Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions

Sierra National Forest Washburn Fire Closure Order: The Washburn Fire is now active on the Sierra National Forest. The lands affected are a small portion of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect public safety during the Washburn Fire, the Sierra National Forest has issued a Washburn Fire Closure Forest Order:   

Forest Order: 05-15-00-22-15:  This order is effective from July 15, 2022 through August 1, 2022. For a detailed description including a map, please view the following link: Forest Order 05-15-00-22-15. All closure roads are on the Bass Lake Ranger District and they include: Road 5S06 Mtn. Raymond Rd, 5S22 Big Sandy Rd, 5S43 White Chief Mtn. Rd, 6S10 Sky Ranch Rd, 5S40Y Lost Lake Rd, 5S40Z Lost Lake Rd, 5S04 Chiquito Lake Rd, 5S70A Red Top Rd.  Additionally Off-roaders, to protect public and firefighter safety, please avoid the Kamook Staging Area. Firefighters are using the site for the staging of firefighting heavy equipment. An alternative spot is Lone Sequoia trailhead/campground on the 5S24 road about 2 miles from Hwy 41, or any dispersed site along the 5S15 road in Miami Trails. Please be advised that USFS law enforcement will be on patrol.

Tip Line: If you were at or near the Mariposa Grove on July 7, 2022, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB)       Call/Text – (888)-653-0009    Email- nps_isb@nps.gov Online: Submit a Tip