YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California – According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are 89 large active wildfires currently being managed with full suppression strategies across the United States as of August 6. In Yosemite National Park, frequent thunderstorms, high heat, and low humidity has lead to an increase in fire danger. According to a press release, since August 2 alone, Yosemite Fire has responded to six separate burns, all caused by lightning strikes. Fortunately none of the fires have grown above a few acres.
“Yosemite National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem. The overall strategy for all wildland fires is to provide for the safety of employees, the public, and to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.“
Five of the six wildfires sit at just a tenth of an acre. The Forsyth fire, located near Little Yosemite Valley. the Echo fire, located north of Little Yosemite Valley above Echo Valley, the Blue Jay fire, located inside the footprint of the 2020 Blue Jay Fire, and the Alder fire, located half a mile east of Alder Falls, were all discovered on August 2. The Alder fire is at 100% containment, the rest are at 0%. The Morrison fire, located one mile north of Morrison Creek, was discovered on August 4, and is also at 0% containment.
The largest active fire in the park, the Middle fire, is located near the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River, west of White Wolf. It was discovered on August 4, and sits at 2 acres with 0% containment. The Middle, Forsyth, and Morrison fires currently have firefighters actively providing updates on conditions.