Weather Service: Smoke from Yosemite fire headed to Carson City
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 09/07/2014 - 6:59pm
UPDATE: The Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park is exhibited explosive growth Sunday, producing pyrocumulus clouds visible in Carson City and Reno, according to the National Weather Service.
The fire is burning in the Little Yosemite Valley area and at last report was 700 acres and growing. Smoke from the fire will impact areas to the northeast of Yosemite. High resolution forecast models show that a layer of smoke will affect the Carson City, Reno and Carson Valley areas by Monday morning if intense burning continues, according to the weather service.
At around 7 p.m. Sunday the weather service reports a layer of smoke from the fire has reached Carson City, Reno and Sparks. The smoke was initially traveling northeast into western Nevada south of Carson City. Low level winds have become more southerly and were helping bring the smoke northward.
Last year, smoke from the massive Rim Fire near Yosemite affected air quality in the Carson City, Reno and Carson Valley areas for weeks.
All trails from the top of Nevada Fall to Merced Lake, including trails leading to that area, are closed. Additionally, the trail from Sunrise Lakes Trailhead to Sunrise Lakes and Sunrise Lakes High Sierra Camp, and the trails from the camp to the trail along the Merced River east of Little Yosemite Valley, are closed.
The Meadow Fire originated in Yosemite’s backcountry wilderness, east of Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley, at approximately noon Sunday. Approximately 100 hikers were evacuated from the top of Half Dome, Little Yosemite Valley, and surrounding trails, via helicopter. There are no reported injuries or structures affected by the wildfire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Throughout Sunday afternoon, 7 helicopters, an airplane, and ground crews worked to extinguish the fire. The area, at 7,000 feet in elevation, features rugged terrain. Ground access requires a several mile hike to the area affected by the fire. Yosemite National Park firefighters are working with fire crews from Cal Fire, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, Mariposa County Fire, California Highway Patrol, and U.S. Forest Service. There are over 100 firefighters dedicated to the fire, with more resources en route.
Yosemite National Park remains open and all facilities within Yosemite Valley. Trails near the Half Dome area, the Little Yosemite Valley area (a backcountry camping area near Half Dome), Merced Lake and Sunrise High Sierra Camps, Clouds Rest, and Echo Valley remain closed due to fire activity. All roads leading into Yosemite remain open as well.
Visitors are urged to check the park’s website to get updated information in the smoke impacts to Yosemite National Park. Updated information can be found at www.nps.gov/yose.
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