Yosemite Wildfire Status

Does anyone know what's the status of the wildfire? Which areas is it in, what progress (if any has been made) in stopping it?

I assume you're talking about the Detwiler fire? Or has another one started in the park? 

http://www.calfire.ca.gov/general/firemaps

https://www.google.org/publicalerts/alert?aid=e33fdf438c71d589&hl=en&gl=US&source=web

do you know if it's affecting visitors/climbers in the park?

Call the ranger station at the park. That's why they're there. I'm sure it's smokey, we've been socked in with smoke the past couple days in Tahoe/Reno. Might not be as bad on in the park due to prevailing winds from the SW. 

It is very smokey in and around the park. 

• What campgrounds are open in tuolumne?

Lou Cerutti wrote:

• What campgrounds are open in tuolumne?

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Did cathedral yesterday and there was some smoke sitting low but not as bad as the valley. Views were bad in the valley but it didn't feel bad in my lungs but I dunno how bad it would have to be for that. 140 is closed but I still went to car camp just outside the entrance in el portal, it smelt like a campfire and I was getting something like a drizzle of ash all night.

how long do these wildfires typically impact yosemite? is this something that will likely be long gone in a few weeks or is it common that they last for a season?

Jake wander wrote:

how long do these wildfires typically impact yosemite? is this something that will likely be long gone in a few weeks or is it common that they last for a season?

You will probably will see smoke subside within the next week or so as crews get a handle on the fire. If there are road closures, they will be lifted as soon as safety permits. 

The fire isn't in the park.

Lou Cerutti wrote:

• What campgrounds are open in tuolumne?

Tuolumne Meadows campground is scheduled to open Aug 1. Until then, the best camping is outside the park east of Tioga pass. Here is a map that shows all the campsites.  Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake, and Junction are usually full, but things open up as you drive down the hill. Warren Fork is at the 9000 ft elevation sign. See you up there!

Jake wander wrote:

how long do these wildfires typically impact yosemite? is this something that will likely be long gone in a few weeks or is it common that they last for a season?

Depends on wind direction, wind velocity, relative humidity, ability for crews to create fire breaks in varied terrain to prevent spread, etc. I.E. somewhat unpredictable. The 2013 Rim Fire burned for 2 months. 

Jake wander wrote:

how long do these wildfires typically impact yosemite? is this something that will likely be long gone in a few weeks or is it common that they last for a season?

The Brianhead fire in UT started on Jun 17. It's similar in size to the fire west of the Valley. It was considered fully contained a few days ago, but parts are still burning.

Ed Henicle wrote:

 Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake, and Junction are usually full, but things open up as you drive down the hill. 

Tioga and Ellery lake CGs can be viciously windy. At that elevation it can mean chilly dinners and cold nights.

Still off topic here but Saddlebag Lake CG is still completely under snow. It's beautiful up there right now.

smoke hasn't been bad the last few days. It seems to settle into view in the evenings 

Yesterday was clear in Tuolomne. Didn't see smoke/haze until we got close to the 120 exit. The valley was ok on Saturday. Some haze but not unbearable and actually surprisingly uncrowded - I think the fire is keeping people away. Thursday and Friday there was much more smoke/haze in both areas, so not sure if conditions are improving or we just had a change in wind direction.

Does anybody know the current status in The Valley by these days, August 23? Thanks 

Artedemagia wrote:

Does anybody know the current status in The Valley by these days, August 23? Thanks 

We were there last week. We drove through the valley twice and camped at upper cathedral lake for 3 nights. It all depended on the wind. We had 2 days of really bad smoke (couldn't see half dome or much of el cap, felt it in our throats after breathing it for days) but the other days it was unnoticed. 

Can anyone out there report on what conditions might be like in the valley this weekend? Looks like there's another Mariposa fire started up and the live webcams show extremely bad smoke out there.