The Polly Fire was discovered this morning during a helicopter reconnaissance flight. Fire managers have made the decision to suppress this lightning ignited fire and containment is expected today (8/12/06).

Currently in Yosemite, there are four active wildland fire use fires being managed for resource benefit. These fires may continue to burn until fall when significant precipitation extinguishes them. Visitors and residents should expect to see and smell smoke from these fires throughout the park and in the surrounding communities. Fire managers work closely with the local Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District and are committed to reducing smoke impacts while achieving resource benefits.

The Frog Complex continues to show moderate growth. The Laurel Fire currently totals 1,080 acres. Crews are holding the south west perimeter of the fire along Frog Creek while allowing the fire to continue spreading to the east. The Frog Fire has low fire activity and the Falls Fire is currently inactive.

Low intensity ground fire was observed on the King Fire. It is now 22 acres with light smoke production to the north east.

For public safety the Laurel Lakes basin is closed. This closure includes the Miguel Meadow to Laurel Lake trail.

Due to the Middle T Fire, hikers on the historic Great Sierra Wagon Road (between White wolf and Aspen Valley) should use caution while traveling near the fire perimeter and be aware of possible hazards.

(*) Indicates the date the fire was detected.

Frog Complex Fires (The following fires are being managed as the Frog Complex)

·           Laurel Fire (*7/21) is located 1 mile west, southwest of Laurel Lake and is currently 1,080 acres. Low intensity, backing ground fire continues to provide maximum benefit for the resources and good daily smoke dispersal to the north east. Due to the night time inversion some smoke may settle in areas west of the park. The Park Service has been quantitatively monitoring smoke in the city of Groveland and to date there has been no exceedance of federal standards. To help limit smoke production minimal, low impact confinement actions have been implemented on the south west perimeter of the Laurel Fire.

·           Frog Fire (*7/21) is located 2 miles north of Laurel Lake in the Frog Creek drainage. It is currently 110 acres but has very little fire activity at this time.

·           Falls Fire (*6/28) is currently inactive

Middle T Complex (The following fires are being managed as the Middle T Complex)

·           Middle T Fire (*7/21) is located 3 miles east of Aspen Valley on the north side of the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River and near the historic Great Sierra Wagon Road (between White Wolf and Aspen Valley). Confinement actions utilizing existing trails, natural barriers and minimal, low impact fireline construction were implemented to limit fire growth. The perimeter of this fire is currently inactive with some interior smoke still visible. It currently totals 129.5 acres.

·           Double Rock Fire (*7/17) is currently inactive.

·           Lukens Fire (*7/17) is currently inactive.

King Fire (*7/18) is located 2 miles east of Mount Starr King. It is currently 22 acres, burning in sparse bushes and down logs. Smoke from this fire is visible from Glacier Point but is dispersing to the north east. This fire has moderate potential for growth.

Bart Fire (*7/24) is currently inactive.

Suppression Fires

Polly Fire (*8/12) is located 300 yards north of the Tioga road and to the east of Polly Dome. It is currently 1/10 of an acre. Suppression tactics have been implemented and containment is expected by today