Mammoth Bound is built around the belief that everyone should experience the beautiful mountains and wilderness in our backyard, which is why the Washburn Wildfire burning in Yosemite National Park has been heartbreaking.
However, Yosemite is still thriving and we want to help you visit. That’s why we’ve listed everything you need to keep track the Washburn Wildfire in Yosemite below. Read all about it and say thank you to a firefighter the next time you see one!
Check Yosemite National Park’s Twitter Page for Service Updates
Yosemite is a huge park with enough size and geography to have conditions vary greatly throughout it. For that reason, even though there is a wildfire burning in the park it can still welcome guests safely.
It’s unlikely now that the park closes completely, but wildfires and weather are both difficult to predict so keep an eye on official social media accounts for updates on closures in the park.
Watch Air Quality Indexes for Smoke Updates
Yosemite will close roads and areas that are near fire danger, but they cannot keep the wind from carrying smoke from the wildfire all over the area.
In fact, smoke and low air quality are the main reasons to consider cancelling a trip to Yosemite with wildfire in the area. Not only will smoke make it difficult to see the sights most people visit for, but it can also make it difficult to simply breathe, much less hike or backpack.
For that reason, it’s important that you check air quality sites like PurpleAir and AirNow. Air quality can change from day to day based on the weather, so you should check on the day of your visit to see if it’s a good idea to continue.
Track the Washburn Fire with Inciweb
One of the best ways to keep track of the Washburn Fire is by following the updates on Inciweb’s page for this specific fire.
Not only will you find stats like size and containment, but there are also incident reports that go deeper into detail about conditions, weather, and closures. Specifically, Inciweb lists road closures as well as closures of forests nearby.
Should You Cancel Your Visit to Yosemite Because of Wildfires?
That depends on what you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and the conditions on the day of your visit.
Low air quality from smoke will not only make it difficult to see the sights people visit for, but it will also make physical activities like hiking or backpacking difficult to enjoy. That being said, the size of the park means that one area could have clear air while another has smoke.
It depends on the day and the weather, so decide what you want to do ahead of time, check for air and fire updates, and then make the best decision for you!
Lastly, don’t travel anywhere near closed areas or active fires. Not only is it dangerous, but the roads need to be clear for fire crews!