Single Publication

Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove                       Percent Contained: 79%
Start Date: July 7, 2022                                                            Cause: Under Investigation       
Size: 4,856 acres                                                                      Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,330

Weather/Fire Conditions:  The fire is continuing to burn slowly in thick unburned fuels on the northeast and eastern edge of the fire. Firefighters continue to make solid gains of containment with the handline along the South Fork of the Merced River working east across difficult terrain. The fireline around Mount Raymond continues to hold and conditions in that section continue to improve. Crews continue to mop-up and patrol along Wawona Rd (Yosemite’s Highway 41) as well as around Mariposa Grove to maintain the containment lines. Crews are backhauling hose laid during the initial stages of the fire as suppression-repair status begins. Nighttime operations have been discontinued. The weather forecast predicts temperatures in the high 80s to 90s with humidity in the upper teens to mid 20s. Light winds will push the smoke west with some lingering in drainages. For smoke conditions visit: Washburn Fire Smoke Report

Hwy. 41 Reopening:     On Saturday, July 23 @ 6:00 a.m. visitors will be allowed to pass-through from the South Entrance to Yosemite Valley on Hwy. 41. Reservations are still required.

Wawona Repopulation: The community of Wawona is currently open ONLY to Wawona residents, property owners, and NPS employees. Please read the Wawona repopulation Frequently Asked Questions. And for any alerts in Yosemite National Park keep updated by visiting: http://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/repopulation.htm  This is assessed daily.

Closures: The Mariposa Grove, Wawona Hotel, Wawona rental cabins and Wawona Campground remain closed to the general public until further notice, this is evaluated daily, stay tuned to daily updates. All other areas of Yosemite National Park are open. For more information visit: www.recreation.gov.

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

Sierra National Forest Washburn Fire Closure Order: The Washburn Fire is active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect the public, the Sierra National Forest has a Fire Closure Forest Order effective from July 15, 2022 through August 1, 2022. The 8 closed roads are on the Bass Lake Ranger District: 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. For a detailed description including a map, please view the following link: Forest Order 05-15-00-22-15. The lands affected are less than 3% of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. Please be advised that USFS law enforcement patrols these areas. We thank all members of the public for avoiding the closure area so that incident personnel may stay focused on the difficult and dangerous work that remains.

Fire Restrictions are currently in effect on the Sierra National Forest and we appreciate your support in following them. For more information: Sierra NF Fire Restrictions

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