News Release
News Release Date: September 24, 2026
Current Situation
4,030 acres
15% containment
789 personnel
The Dome Fire increased 194 acres from yesterday. Wildland firefighters made progress connecting handlines to the Bridalveil Creek trail system and 2017 Empire Fire footprint. Crews continue to widen handlines in the Empire Meadows and Horse Ridge areas. Wildland firefighters are continuing to place contingency lines off of Glacier Point Road. There are no imminent threats to infrastructure.The Mariposa-Yosemite Airport is closed to general aviation traffic. Mule pack strings and helicopters are providing crews with supplies and backhaul. An additional pack string is set to support crews working in the Bridalveil Creek trail system, staging at the campground. Structure firefighters continue to support Wawona and Yosemite West communities.
Closures
Park Closures
Yosemite National Park is open and operating normally, with the following exceptions. Glacier Point Road is closed due to reduced visibility from smoke and to safely allow firefighting operations. There are no imminent threats to infrastructure. The Four Mile Trail and Panorama Trail, providing access to Glacier Point, will remain open to hikers. Glacier Point Road will reopen when conditions allow. Backpackers already parked overnight at Glacier Point will be allowed to exit after the closure begins. 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.) Ostrander Trail and all areas and trails south of it are closed. The closed area extends east of the Wawona Road from Wawona to Chinquapin, as seen on the public information map.
General Closures
The Mariposa-Yosemite Airport is closed to general aviation traffic. No civilian aircraft may take off or land from KMPI at this time.
Weather
Tomorrow brings warmer weather and dryer conditions. Transport winds will increase slightly, from 10mph to 15mph on average moving southwest. With these conditions, increased spotting is possible. Ignition probability in receptive fuel beds (areas with heavy dead, down trees) is at 65%. August rain in the Bridalveil Creek drainage will make smaller fuels resistant to fire spread. Larger fuel types are still susceptible to spotting behaviors.
Smoke Outlook
Periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS this morning in Wawona and Yosemite Valley, with smoke clearing in the afternoon. Mariposa and Hodgdon Meadow are expected to experience mostly MODERATE air quality, while El Portal is expected to see periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. Tuolumne Meadows will have GOOD air quality in the morning with periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in the afternoon and evening. Smoke settling overnight in Wawona and Yosemite Valley.
Smoke impacts from the Dome Fire are expected to continue affecting air quality in Yosemite National Park. Visitors and staff are encouraged to stay informed and take precautions as needed.
Click here for the daily Smoke Outlook: Central Sierras
For current conditions in Yosemite and the region visit fire.airnow.gov (YOSE Air Quality)
Last updated: September 24, 2026