Abandoned campfire blamed for Yosemite’s Dome Fire

An abandoned campfire sparked the Dome Fire, which had burned 5,739 acres in Yosemite National Park and was 39% contained Wednesday, fire officials said.

The fire was reported at 8:28 a.m. Sept. 15 about a quarter-mile north of Chilnualna Falls, north of Wawona Dome in Mariposa County. It grew from about 100 acres on its first day as flames moved north and northeast through brush and timber in steep, remote terrain.

Crews have worked from the ground and air to strengthen containment lines near Bridalveil Creek, Empire Meadows and Horse Ridge. Officials said the fire’s advance slowed as it entered areas burned by earlier wildfires, where less vegetation was available to burn, although gusty winds continued to carry embers ahead of the main fire.

No evacuation orders or warnings were in effect, and officials reported no immediate threat to homes, businesses or utility infrastructure. Smoke continued to affect parts of the park and nearby communities, especially Wawona and El Portal.

The Dome Fire has moved into the footprint of the 2017 Empire Fire, where reduced vegetation has helped moderate some fire behavior. Even so, officials said heavy dead and downed fuels remained receptive to embers, and isolated spot fires continued to challenge containment efforts.

The Empire Fire was discovered July 31, 2017, east of Glacier Point Road in the Illilouette Basin. Caused by lightning, it ultimately burned 8,094 acres. Park managers contained its north, west and south flanks while allowing portions of the eastern edge to move through wilderness toward the Illilouette Basin, where naturally ignited fire can reduce accumulated fuels and improve forest resilience. The fire was reported fully contained later that year.

The response to the Dome Fire was marked by a fatal aviation accident Sept. 20, when a contract Eurocopter Super Puma crashed southeast of Ostrander Lake during water-bucket operations. The two pilots aboard, Greg King and Ryan Cutter of Precision, were killed. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Yosemite National Park remained open, but the Chilnualna Falls and Ostrander Lake trails, routes toward Buena Vista and Crescent lakes, and nearby backcountry areas were closed. Visitors were advised to check current park notices and air-quality conditions before traveling.