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Washburn Fire Daily Update for July 29, 2022
Washburn Fire
Publication Type: News 07/30/2022
Washburn Fire Update- Isolated thunderstorms over the Sierra Crest moved westward towards the Washburn fire yesterday afternoon with light showers reaching the fire area near the Iron Creek and South Fork Merced River. Temperatures remained warm with high temperatures reaching the upper 70s near the upper elevations of the fire and the low 90s in Wawona.
A helicopter patrolling the fire yesterday noticed a previously unburned pocket of vegetation several-hundred feet south of the South Fork Merced River, which is being used as the control feature for the northern flank. Today, helitack crews will be flown into this portion of the fire to ensure the burning logs and brush can’t threaten the control line in this remote portion of the fire. Fire resources will continue to hike into the Star Lakes and will likely set up a pump operation to fully secure the fire burning in and around the large rock screes. All of the suppression repair work occurring on the fire over the last week has been completed.
Air Quality- For information, visit: airnow.gov.
Wawona Reopen - Wawona town, Wawona Hotel, and surrounding trails are open. Mariposa Grove of the Giant Sequoias (and trails to it), as well as Wawona Campground, remain closed until further notice. At this time, there is not an estimated opening date. All other areas of Yosemite are open, although a reservation is required to drive into the park if arriving between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Highways Reopened- Highway 140 through Mariposa County to Yosemite National Park is open to all lanes of traffic. Wawona Road (Highway 41) has also reopened. Please drive carefully as fire suppression vehicles and equipment are still in the area.
Washburn Fire Forest Closure- Forest Order No. 05-15-51-22-27- Effective July 23, 2022 through August 1, 2022, the following roads remain closed: Mt. Raymond Road, Big Sandy Road, White Chief Mtn. Road, Sky Ranch Road (Between its intersections with FS Road 5S40Z and 6S07), Lost Lake Road, Chiquito Lake Road, and Red Top Road. For more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sierra/alerts-notices/?aid=74510
Tip Line: If you were near the Mariposa Grove on July 7, 2022, please contact NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB). Call/Text: (888) 653-0009 Email: nps_isb@nps.gov Online: www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/submit-a-tip.htm