Yosemite Fire Update

Fire crews will continue to prescribe burn units 11 & 16 in Yosemite Valley through the first week in November. Unit 11 is located south of Southside Drive near the El Capitan Crossover and Unit 16 is located between Southside Drive and the Four Mile trailhead. The Valley Loop Trail will remain closed from the Four Mile trailhead to the El Captain Crossover along Southside Drive until it is safe to access again. One lane traffic control may be in place along Southside Drive in the area of the burn if crews are working along the roadway.

If conditions remain suitable for burning, additional areas that may be treated are units 13 & 15 in Yosemite Valley and Crane Flat. The Valley units are located between the Merced River and Northside Drive. Unit 13 is located near El Capitan picnic area and unit 15 is halfway between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan. Crane Flat units are located along the intersection of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, south of the Crane Flat Look-out Road and Rockefeller Grove, and east of Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Visitors and employees should be aware that smoke may be present throughout burning operations and could linger to a much lesser degree into the following weeks as large logs are consumed. Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.