Meadow Fire – Time-lapse Video
Sept 7, 2014: As the Meadow Fire traveled into Little Yosemite Valley, helicopter rescue teams worked quickly to evacuate over 100 hikers on the popular Half Dome trail. No one has been injured and no structures are currently threatened by the fire.
Above: Yosemite Meadow Fire Time-lapse by QT Luong. “The opening sequence presents an unusual sunrise view in a smoke-filled Yosemite Valley. The remaining clips, made at Glacier Point, show the fires on the nights of Sept 8 and Sept 9, separated by a smoky sunrise. Notice how due to vigorous fire-fighting the intensity had diminished within a day.”
For the most up-to-date information about fire activity in the park, visit www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm
Update Sun, Sept 14, 2014: ALL ROADS AND VISITOR FACILITIES ARE OPEN. The trail to Half Dome via Little Yosemite Valley is open to day-use only. No overnight camping in any areas impacted by the fire is permitted. The fire continues to burn through popular hiking areas in Yosemite National Park and trail closures still remain in effect. Smoke from the Meadows Fire impacts visitors, campers and employees overnight and in the early morning hours in Yosemite Valley.
Update Tues, Sept 9, 2014: The Meadow Fire, in Yosemite National Park’s high country, is estimated at 2,582 acres. Trails near the Half Dome area, the Little Yosemite Valley area, Merced Lake and Sunrise High Sierra Camps, Clouds Rest, and Echo Valley remain closed due to fire activity. The trail to Half Dome, east of Nevada Fall, remains closed at this time, including the Half Dome cables. The trail and the cables will remain closed through Thursday, September 11.
Sun, Sept 7, 2014: A wildfire that started early this afternoon in Yosemite National Park has grown to approximately 700 acres. The Meadow Fire originated in Yosemite’s backcountry wilderness, east of Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley, at approximately noon today. 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neKBN7QVX4I
Below: Trail ascending the Half Dome. Photo by Todd Reich. Click to enlarge.
Throughout the 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.
Below is a map of safety closures on Sept 8, 2014. Click image to enlarge.
To view current conditions in the park, look at the Yosemite webcams. www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcams-videos