The Moraine Ridge Trail to Paradise Junction is closed for public safety.

 The following lightning-ignited fires are being managed for ecological benefit. Fire managers use natural lightning-ignited fires to reintroduce fire to the ecosystem and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire. These fires will spread naturally as long as they may be safely managed by fire officials. Visitors and residents should expect to see and smell smoke from these fires throughout the park and in the surrounding communities.

(*) Indicates the date the fire was detected

King Fire (*7/18) is located 2 miles east of Mount Starr King. Fire spread continues toward Starr King Meadow with increased fire activity observed on the southwest perimeter due to the availability of more continues fuels. This fire currently totals 100 acres, burning in mixed conifers and down logs. Smoke from this fire may be visible from Glacier Point and the summit of Half Dome.

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

- Laurel Fire/ Frog Fires (*7/21) have grown together into one fire and is located in the Hetch Hetchy area near Laurel Lake. Decreased fire activity has been observed due to cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. This fire is currently 5,912 acres. Daily smoke dispersal from has been to the northeast, however, some smoke is settling in areas west of the park. The National Park Service has been quantitatively monitoring smoke in the city of Groveland and to date there has been no exceedance of federal standards. Fire managers work closely with Yosemite’s air quality staff and the local Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District and are committed to reducing smoke impacts while achieving resource benefits. To help reduce smoke production, this fire is being held along Frog Creek on the southwest perimeter and along Falls Creek on the southeast perimeter.

- Falls Fire (*6/28) is located two miles north of Hetch Hetchy, and east of Falls Creek. Low impact confinement actions were implemented to limit fire spread to the northeast and reduce smoke impacts to surrounding communities. The perimeter of this 35 acre fire is currently inactive with some interior smoke still visible.

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

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

Suppression Fires:

The Boundary Fire (*8/21) has been 100% contained and is in patrol status.

The Middle T Fire (*7/20) has been 100% contained and is in patrol status

The following trails have been reopened. Hikers should continue to use caution while traveling through these areas and be aware of possible hazards. The immediate fire area remains closed for hiker safety. Please stay out of the fire perimeter and areas that have active fire.

- The historic Great Sierra Wagon Road (between White Wolf and Aspen Valley)

- Tamarack Flat to El Capitan Trail including the Old Big Oak Flat Road

- The Hetch Hetchy switchbacks to the Beehive Trail

- The Beehive Trail to Laurel Lake

- The northern loop trail to Laurel Lake

- Miguel Meadow to Laurel Lake Trail.

- The Lake Vernon Trail to Laurel Lake.

Additional Information:  The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire has information about fire activity and smoke effects in Yosemite.

Trail Closure: Due to recent Mountain Lion sightings and activity, the following trails are closed - East trail along Ahwahnee Meadow towards Ahwahnee dorm and continuing to the tennis courts and the trail from Church Bowl past the stables to Lower Yosemite Falls until further notice.

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Stoneman Meadow dirt parking area closure - beginning Sept. 14, a section of the Stoneman Meadow parking area across from Curry Village and adjacent to the campground will be closed for lumber storage. The area will be closed for a 4-6 week period

Campground closures: Bridalveil Creek Campground and Yosemite Creek Campground have closed for the season.

The Hetch Hetchy Road  Day Use Hours are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM


 

WHAT IS THAT AIRPLANE DOING UP THERE?

During the weeks of September 11th and 18th, 2006, you may notice a small airplane flying systematically in the air above you.  This plane has been contracted by the National Park Service to collect high-resolution digital topography data of several areas within Yosemite National Park. 

The topography data is collected using technology called LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).  LiDAR is similar to better-known RaDAR, but uses light instead of radio waves.  The plane will fly 2000+ ft above the ground surface at about 100 mph.  A laser on the plane emits pulses of light toward the ground, which reflect off the ground surface back to a sensor on the plane.  The round-trip travel time of the laser provides a specific measurement of distance, and is used to make precise three-dimensional maps of the ground surface.  The light is not visible to the naked eye, and is not harmful in any way.  Park wildlife biologists have worked to ensure that the flights do not affect sensitive species such as peregrine falcons.

The National Park Service will use these high-resolution topographic maps in numerous ways.  The maps will ensure that roads, trails, and infrastructure are placed in such a way as to maximize safety and minimize impact on the environment.  They will provide vegetation specialists with baseline information on meadows, allow hydrologists to map flood plains, and help geologists understand where and how future rockfalls may occur.