Single Publication

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/

Facebook: Yosemite NP   Sierra NF                                          Twitter: Yosemite NP     Sierra NF

Instagram: https://instagram.com/yosemitefire/                         Website: Yosemite NP      Sierra NF

Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove                   Percent Contained: 23%
Start Date: July 7, 2022                                                            Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 4,375 acres                                                                       Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,045

The Washburn Fire will hosting a Community Meeting Today, July 14, 2022 @ 7:00 PM at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B in Oakhurst. Livestream: Facebook.com/YosemiteFire.

Weather/Fire Conditions: Continued warm and dry weather with active to very active fire behavior. This active behavior will include group torching and runs of intense fire in the crowns of trees on the eastern side of the fire. Expect winds over the incident area to remain light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity is predicted to be in the 20-30% range. Weather and fuels will continue to produce a large smoke column each afternoon. Expect smokey conditions. For a more detailed look at smoke conditions: Washburn Fire Smoke Report

Public Support: Firefighters and participating agencies are grateful for the support expressed in many ways by the local communities and the nation. Your patience as the fire is battled is noticed and very much appreciated.

Sierra National Forest Washburn Fire Closure Forest Order: The Washburn Fire is now active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect public safety during the Washburn Fire, the Sierra National Forest has issued the Washburn Fire Forest Closure Order. Forest Routes 5S43, 5S06 (Mt. Raymond Rd.), 5S22 and 5S37 are closed to the public. The lands affected are less than 1% of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. This Forest Order 05-15-00-22-14 is effective from July 13, 2022, through August 1, 2022. For a more detailed description including a map, please view the following link: Forest Order & Map:  Forest Order 05-15-00-22-14   
 
Off-roaders, to protect public and firefighter safety please avoid the Kamook Staging Area. Firefighters are using the site for 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. 

Update on the Mariposa Grove: The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias has seen low intensity ground fire resulting in minimal impacts to the trees. There has been no known loss of any large giant sequoias which is largely due to a proactive fire management and fuels reduction program and a long history of prescribed burning in Yosemite National Park. This is in contrast to the nearly 20% loss of giant sequoias in the last few years during large-scale wildfires. Yosemite National Park has been at the forefront of fire and fuels management with over a half-century of prescribed burning history.

Wawona Evacuation Update: On Friday, July 8th, a day after the fire was first reported, the community of Wawona was evacuated. The protection of both life and property has continued to remain a top priority. Fire conditions, behavior and weather are constantly being assessed in order to prepare for re-population of the community. A structure defense group remains in place throughout the community and there has not been any damage or loss of park or private structures, including the historic Wawona Hotel.

Fire Progression: For a daily summary of the fire with Matt Ahearn, Operations Section Chief for California Interagency Incident Management Team 13. Search: http://facebook.com/yosemitefire or on Facebook search: Washburn Fire Morning Briefing with Team 13 (California Interagency Incident Management Team 13)

Using Fire to Fight Fire: There have been quite a few questions related to the use of introduced fire to slow the wildfire progress. Firefighters are attacking the fire with fire or using what we call “offensive fire.” For a visual description of this tactic visit this link: Offensive Fire

Evacuations & Closures: Wawona, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed until further notice. 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. The Rest of the Park Remains Open and reservations are still required; visit www.recreation.gov. The South Entrance remains closed.

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