California Army and Air National Guard helicopter pilots from the 1st and 3rd Battalion of the 140th Aviation Battalion (Air Assault), based out of Los Alamitos, Stockton and Mather, and the 129th Rescue Wing, out of Mountain View, fly their UH-60 Black Hawks and HH-60 Pave Hawks, Aug. 29, 2013, to the dip site at the Cherry Lake dam just west of Yosemite National Park to various bucket drop sites nearby. The aircraft rotated from dropping to dunking, sometimes with other civilian choppers and could drop as many as 20 buckets before having to refuel. The pilots move in, directed by Cal Fire managers, who spot U.S. Forest Service fire fighters on the ground or follow other guidance on where best to lay the line of water. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Wade/Released)
El Capitan looking mighty smoky today | Photo: Yosemite NPS | Cover Photo: California National Guard

Burning just a mile away from the majestic Bridal Veil Campground in Yosemite National Park, the #EmpireFire is steadily growing and is making breathing difficult for some backcountry campers.

Related: Snow In The Summertime? | Rocky Mountains Will Experience An Abnormally Cold/Wet August

The fire, whose smoke is being amplified by the nearby Detweiler Fire, has turned Yosemite into a veritable smog chamber over the past week and it’s going to be a while before the air clears. This particular fire was started by an apparent lightning strike on July 31st and has been burning ever since. So far, crews are simply observing the 147 acre fire, allowing the blaze to burn naturally.

Meanwhile the #DetweilerFire is coming close to its terminus. The last report from Cal Fire indicated that the fire has claimed 81,826 acres but is 95% contained. All in all the fire has decimated 63 homes, 67 minor structures, as well as 1 commercial building.

Full Release:

Yosemite is currently managing the Empire Fire for multiple objectives. It is a lightning cause fire started on July 31st, located in Yosemite’s Wilderness 1 mile south of Bridalveil campground and between the Alder Creek and Bridalveil Trails. Crews are on scene monitoring the fire. It is currently 147 acres burning in thick needle duff and red fir over story with dead and down red fir. The wilderness area of the Empire Fire is a fire adapted forest ecosystem. By allowing fire to burn naturally we can ensure a healthier, more diverse and natural forest. Most importantly managing fires under the right conditions can reduce fuels and thereafter reduce the intensity of future fires.
There is no threat to the Bridalveil campground and crews are currently assessing trail systems in the area. Smoke will be seen over the fire, in the Park’s high country, and local communities.

Find out more here: @YosemiteFire

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