People come from all over the world to see the spectacular natural beauty in the Eastern Sierra, specifically in Yosemite National Park. Wildfires are a part of nature too, which means you need to be aware of them when visiting Mammoth Lakes or Yosemite National Park.
That’s why the Mammoth Bound team is sharing what we know about the Red Fire which is currently burning in Yosemite. Keep reading to see what you need to know about the fire before visiting and continue to check for updates throughout your visit!
The Red Fire is in a Remote Area of Yosemite National Park
Fortunately, the Red Fire is burning in a remote area of the park and is not threatening to close any trails or damage any infrastructure. That being said, wildfires can be unpredictable. If there is a change in weather then the fire could spread and threaten more parts of the park, so it’s important that you pay attention to the reports on the fire as crews work to contain it.
Still, the Red Fire is a relatively small fire which is not expected to spread or cause serious damage. At the moment, it has burned around 500 acres of land. Although that is still a ton of land, relative to other wildfires it is small.
For example, the Washburn Fire from earlier this year burned nearly 5,000 acres of land before it was contained which means the Red Fire is not a serious threat at the moment.
How to Keep Track of the Red Fire in Yosemite
Although the Red Fire is not large or expected to threaten more areas of the park, visitors should still check for changes in containment and smoke in the area.
The best way to follow the area where the fire is affecting is by checking the InciWeb incident page for the Red Fire. There you’ll see a map of where the fire is, how large it is, and the current containment.
On top of that, another important factor to consider is smoke in the air. Even if a fire is miles away, if the wind blows towards you then the smoke will reach you. Depending on how thick the smoke is, that could mean anything from simple foggy views to respiratory irritation.
The best way to keep track of air quality in Yosemite is by checking sites like AirNow and PurpleAir where the air quality is updated from local stations often.
Follow All Fire Safety Restrictions and Practices
Despite the Red Fire being started by a lightning strike, the majority of wildfires are started by people. That’s why it’s incredibly important that you follow all local fire restrictions as well as personal fire safety. Always use established fire rings, never leave your fire unattended, and always completely extinguish it until the embers and ashes are cool before leaving your camp!