Campfire Blamed for Yosemite Wildfire That Has Burned Nearly 7,000 Acres

A campfire is to blame for a fire that has been burning for weeks in California's Yosemite National Park. This is what officials have to say about the Dome Fire, including what caused the blaze to ignite.

Latest on Yosemite's Dome Fire

The Dome Fire erupted on the morning of September 15 in Yosemite National Park. CAL FIRE recently revealed that an errant campfire is responsible for the massive blaze. According to the latest report from CAL FIRE, the Dome Fire has burned over 6,800 acres and is 54% contained.

Scorching temperatures and dry conditions increased the fire activity over the weekend. Officials with the National Park Service (NPS) noted that the greatest increase in recent activity has been in the southeastern flank of the fire. Helicopters and ground crews are working together to try to contain both the flames of the big fire, as well as the smaller blazes that have ignited ahead of the main event.

The NPS released a statement noting that “Firefighters will continue structure protection measures at the Ostrander ski hut, including the installation of structure wrap." The agency went on to explain that “Patrol and mop-up continue in the north and south, and crews will continue direct line construction on the west side.”

Despite the elevated fire activity, Yosemite National Park is open and operating normally, with just a few exceptions. The popular Glacier Point Road is closed because of visibility concerns as a result of the smoke. The nearby Four Mile Trail and Panorama Trail remain open to hikers wanting to explore this part of the park.

However, hikers will not be able to access the Chilnualna Falls Trail and the trails that spur off this area and toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes. The NPS also said that the Ostrander Lake Trail and the trails south of the main path are closed.

In addition to the trail and park closures, visitors need to pay heed to ongoing hazards. The smoky conditions could trigger respiratory issues, particularly in vulnerable populations. Other dangers include poor visibility on roadways in and around the park, falling trees, and hot ash.

Officials Blame Campfire on Dome Fire That Has Killed Two People

Two pilots were killed in a helicopter crash while fighting the Dome Fire. The chopper crashed southeast of Ostrander Lake as it was dropping water over the flames. Contractor Fly Precision identified the victims as Ryan Cutter and Greg King.

CAL FIRE confirmed that the Dome Fire ignited shortly before 8:30 am PDT on Tuesday, September 15. The fire was first reported roughly a quarter-mile north of Chilnualna Falls. High winds at the time pushed the flames quickly upslope. The rugged terrain in this part of the park has presented challenges for crews battling the inferno, forcing them to rely on helicopters due to the limited ground access.

Park officials put out a request at the end of September asking people who were in the area from September 9 to 15 to report any campfire activity. However, it has not been confirmed if that request for information yielded any leads.

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern California, Yosemite National Park commemorated its 136th birthday on October 1. Yosemite is distinguished as the third national park in the U.S.

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