News Release
News Release Date: September 21, 2026
Current Situation
3,222 acres
15% containment
581 personnel
The Dome Fire continued to spread at a moderate rate of growth. Last night, the Dome Fire spread further into the 2017 Empire Fire footprint and the spot fire to the east grew. As the fire moves north into the footprint, heavy dead and down fuels will be receptive to spotting. Fire behavior will remain moderate, with spotting behavior being a big challenge in the full suppression efforts of this fire.
Closures
Yosemite National Park is open and operating normally, with the following exceptions.The Chilnualna Falls Trail, as well as the trails from the top of Chilnualna Falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes, are closed due to the Dome Fire. (These lakes are reachable from the east.) The Ostrander Lake Trail and all areas and trails south of it are closed. The closed area extends east of the Wawona Road from Chinquapin to Wawona, as seen on the public information map.
Weather
Cloudy conditions will continue today, with a chance of precipitation along the crest and an opportunity of thunderstorms beginning at 11:00 am. The chance of rain greater than a 10th of an inch is less than 20%. Winds are likely to move southwest or west through the afternoon with a shift to the northeast as storms move through around 4:00 pm.
Smoke Outlook
Heavier smoke is pooling near the fire this morning, with SSW winds clearing low lying areas out into the afternoon. Winds shift to the NNW in the later afternoon, which is expected to bring to impacts to Wawona in the evening and overnight hours. All other forecast locations are expected to experience lighter impacts than yesterday. As the weather changes this afternoon we could see brief periods of heavier smoke in areas near the fire, such as Yosemite Valley. Visit fire.airnow.gov for more information.
Crews
Wildland firefighters in the Turner Ridge and Empire Meadows zones will continue to improve handlines as the west flank experiences higher wind impacts. A mile of hose has been laid at the Ostrander Lake Trailhead and wildland fire crews continue to make improvements. The Ostrander Lake Trail is closed so that firefighters can work on Bridalveil Creek Trail and Ostrander Lake Trail as the primary contingency line to the north.
Structure
We continue to stage structure firefighters at Yosemite West and Wawona, supporting local communities and continuing prep work and contingencies.
Last updated: September 21, 2026