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Washburn Fire

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Unit Information

P.O. Box 577 
Yosemite National Park, 
95389 
P.O. Box 577 
Yosemite National Park, 
95389 

Incident Contacts

  • Yosemite Fire Information
    Email:
    yose_fire_info@nps.gov
    Phone:
    209-379-1493
  • Media Inquiries
    Phone:
    1-925-588-6749
    Hours:
    8 AM - 8 PM

Washburn Fire Daily Update for July 21, 2022

Washburn Fire
Publication Type: News 07/21/2022

  

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: Yosemite NP                                                          Website: Yosemite NP     Sierra NF

 

Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove                   Percent Contained: 58%
Start Date:
July 7, 2022                                                            Cause: Under Investigation      

Size: 4,856 acres                                                                       Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,330

 

Weather/Fire Conditions:  The fire continues to burn slowly in thick unburned fuels on the northeast and eastern edge of the fire. Firefighters continue to make solid gains of containment with the handline along the South Fork of the Merced River working east with the Inyo Hotshots using pump systems out of the river to assist them. 9 hotshot crews are working this section in difficult terrain. Spotfires have been greatly reduced in this area. The fireline around Mount Raymond is holding and conditions in that section have greatly improved. Crews continue to mop-up and patrol along Wawona Rd (Yosemite’s Highway 41) as well as around Mariposa Grove. Crews are now beginning to backhaul the hose they laid in the initial stages of the Washburn Fire as the fire begins to move into suppression-repair status in certain sections. The forecast predicts temperatures in the high 80s to 90s with humidity in the upper teens to mid 20s. Light winds will push the smoke west with some lingering in drainages. For smoke conditions: Washburn Fire Smoke Report

 

Wawona Repopulation: The community of Wawona is open ONLY to Wawona residents, property owners, and NPS employees. Please read the Wawona repopulation Frequently Asked Questions. And for any alerts in Yosemite National Park keep updated by visiting: http://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/repopulation.htm  

Closures: Wawona, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed to the general public until further notice and it is evaluated daily. The South Entrance remains closed. 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. Reservations are still required from 6:00 am – 4:00 pm; visit: www.recreation.gov.

Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions are in effect below 8,000 feet of elevation and smoking is restricted park wide until further notice. The residences of Wawona, El Portal, and Foresta are on a strict fire restriction due to extreme potential fire danger. For more information visit:  Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions

Sierra National Forest Washburn Fire Closure Order: The Washburn Fire is active on the Sierra National Forest. To aid firefighters and protect the public, the Sierra National Forest has a Fire Closure Forest Order effective from July 15, 2022 through August 1, 2022. The lands affected are less than 3% of the 1.3 million acre Sierra National Forest. The 8 closed roads are on the Bass Lake Ranger District: Road 5S06 Mtn. Raymond Rd, 5S22 Big Sandy Rd, 5S43 White Chief Mtn. Rd, 6S10 Sky Ranch Rd, 5S40Y Lost Lake Rd, 5S40Z Lost Lake Rd, 5S04 Chiquito Lake Rd, 5S70A Red Top Rd. For a detailed description including a map, please view the following link: Forest Order 05-15-00-22-15. Please be advised that USFS law enforcement is on patrol. We thank all members of the public for avoiding the closure area so that incident personnel may stay focused on the difficult and dangerous work that remains.

Tip Line: If you were at or near the Mariposa Grove on July 7, 2022, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB)       Call/Text: (888)-653-0009    Email: nps_isb@nps.gov Online: Submit a Tip