One of the most iconic and popular national parks is ablaze. A wildfire in Yosemite National Park is rapidly expanding in size, forcing limited closures in the park.
What Happened
The National Park Service (NPS) announced in a press release that the Dome Fire began on the morning of Sept. 15. It’s located in the area of the park close to Wawona and Mariposa Grove, approximately a quarter-mile north of Chilnualna Falls, a popular swimming spot. It’s visible from one of the main roads, Highway 41.
The fire grew from 100 acres on Sept. 15 to 1,100 acres by the morning of Sept. 16, and stands at 0% contained. Over 180 fire crew personnel are responding to the incident.
“The Dome Fire continues to have a moderate rate of spread to the north and northeast as it runs up-slope aligned with terrain and wind. The fire is burning through grass, brush, and timber fuels, resulting in visible smoke from the Wawona Road (Highway 41). The fire is in the wilderness and difficult to access due to steep, rugged terrain,” a Sept. 16 NPS press release stated.
In response to the fire, park staff have closed the Chilnualna Falls trail, as well as the trails from the top of Chilnualna Falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes. There are no immediate threats to structures. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Due to the ongoing risk of wildfires, fires are prohibited below 8,000 feet.
How Common Are Wildfires in Yosemite?
Lightning-sparked wildfires happen regularly in the park. The hot, dry conditions in the summer are fertile ground, and scientists believe climate change is only further increasing the risk of extreme fires.
In August, lightning ignited eight wildfires in the park, which crews quickly extinguished. Typically, most of these fires remain small, rarely expanding beyond a few acres. In 2024, there were 12 fires at high elevations that all stayed under 1 acre in size, so the Dome Fire is unusual in its larger size. In 2024, the Middle Fire reached approximately 300 acres before it was contained.
The park has dedicated wildfire management teams who work to cut down the risk of blazes by thinning fuel loads through prescribed burns and removing dead vegetation.
