News and opinion about wildland fire
Mark Meyer took these photos of the Tenaya Fire shortly after it started during the evening of September 7, 2015 in Yosemite National Park. The fire eventually burned 415 acres before it was contained. It was located between Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road (Highway 120) along both sides of the Lehamite Creek Trail.
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized3 Comments on The spread of the Tenaya Fire above Yosemite Valley slows (UPDATE at 10:12 a.m. PT, September 10, 2015)
The Tenaya Fire in Yosemite National Park in California slowed on Wednesday due to the efforts of aviation assets and troops on the ground. In fact the mapped size of 431 acres is a decrease from the estimated 500-acre figure the park released earlier.
The park reports that firefighter efforts at the heel of the fire are holding and good progress is being made on the flanks.
The NPS says this is a “suppression fire” even though three other fires in the park, all currently less than 50 acres, are not being fully suppressed. A Wednesday evening statement from the park said:
Although the use air tankers were initially discouraged, the use of retardant was necessary due to active and rapid rate of fire spread. Key reasons include firefighter and visitor safety, and risks to and closing the Tioga Road, negatively affecting the local communities that rely on park visitation, including the communities include Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, Groveland and Mariposa.
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(Originally published at 7:47 a.m. PT, September 9, 2015)
The Tenaya Fire started September 7 in California’s Yosemite National Park between Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road (Highway 120). It is burning along both sides of the Lehamite Creek Trail from the north rim of the Valley to Tioga Road. (See the map below.)
The Park Service reports that full suppression efforts began on September 8 which included approximately 60 firefighters, six air tankers, and three helicopters. Additional resources will arrive on the fire September 9.
No structures are currently threatened and as of Tuesday night there was no containment on the fire. The cause is under investigation.
