Yosemite Fire Update #17, September

9, 2015
Tenaya (37 46.091 x 119 34.641 Mariposa Co., 7200 El. 8/7). This wildfire began on the afternoon
of September 7, 2015, and is being suppressed. The fire is located along both sides of the Lehamite Creek
Trail from the north rim of the Valley to the Tioga Road. The fire is visible from many locations within the
park. The fire is currently at 431 acres with 10% containment.
Fire activity has moderated today in part due to the aviation assets and crews on scene. However, fire
behavior remains active due to flanking and backing and some single and group tree torching. The
firefighter efforts at the heel or anchor point are holding and good progress is being made on the flanks.
Yosemite fire crews are being augmented by hand crews, helicopters, air tankers, including the VLAT Very
Large Air Tanker, and fire management overhead. Assisting organizations and cooperators include the US
Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other National Park Service resources. There are 241
personnel committed to the fire.
Although the use air tankers were initially discouraged, the use of retardant was necessary due to active
and rapid rate of fire spread. Key reasons include firefighter and visitor safety, and risks to and closing the
Tioga Road, negatively affecting the local communities that rely on park visitation, including the
communities include Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, Groveland and Mariposa.
There are no threats to structures and no injuries have occurred. There is no estimated full containment
and the cause is being investigated.
All trails on the north rim of Yosemite Valley south of the Tioga Road and east of Yosemite
Creek are closed. Currently no roads are closed within the park.
Other fires being monitored:
Cathedral (37 51.078 x 119 25.120 Tuolumne Co., 9400El., 8/2). This is near the John Muir Trail to Cathedral
Lakes. The perimeter is actively smoldering and creeping through lodgepole pine needles and logs and has good
potential to grow until it hits natural barriers. The fire is 37 acres.
Middle (37 51.538 x 119 41.194 - Tuolumne Co., 8043El., 7/27). It is west of White Wolf and south of the Middle
Tuolumne River. It is at 41 acres, and smoke may be visible from Tioga Road.
White Cascade (37 54.926 x 119 23.780 - Tuolumne Co, at 9000 el., 7/3). This remote fire is east of Glen
Aulin High Sierra camp, east of Conness Creek, and west of Tuolumne Meadows, and is approximately 30 acres. Smoke
may be visible in Tuolumne Meadows.

All visitors are urged to be diligent in any use of fire, including smoking. And be sure all fires
are out!
As with all fires, staff and visitor safety is of paramount importance. Each fire, regardless of
size, is assessed for the appropriate course of action.
Yosemite continues to experience periodical air quality changes due to regional fires. Numerous large fires are burning
along the entire western part of the United States and transport winds are carrying smoke across a large region. This
pattern may continue for the next few days. The Rough Fire, south of Yosemite, is now the largest fire burning in
California. We urge everyone to consider air quality when planning outdoor activities.
For More Information

Fire information: gary_wuchner@nps.gov, (209) 372-0480

Yosemite Web: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm.
Air Quality Sites: http://www.californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/ & http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main &
www.mariposacounty.org/aqi
Yosemite Wildland Fire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Fire-and-Aviation/124632964255395
Twitter: @yosemitefire
Nixle - Emergency Alerts and Updates www.nixle.com