News Release
News Release Date: September 25, 2026
Current Situation
4,258 acres
17% containment
781 personnel
The fire grew 228 acres since yesterday morning. It is 17% contained. The fire is moving north and northeast in the old 2017 Empire Fire footprint. Heavy dead and fallen trees can throw embers ahead of the fire. Higher humidity makes it harder for those embers to start new fires. Crews are building and widening fire lines near Bridalveil Creek, Empire Meadows and Horse Ridge. Crews are using granite rock as natural barriers. Pack mules and helicopters bring water, fuel and food to firefighters. In Wawona and Yosemite West, crews are clearing brush around homes, checking hydrants and keeping roads open. The fire is inside the Yosemite Wilderness. No roads, buildings or utilities are under immediate threat.
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
Winds will be a bit stronger today, with gusts of 20 to 25 mph. Winds will come from the south, then shift to the southwest. Temperatures will be cooler. The inversion, a layer of air that traps smoke near the ground, is expected to lift around 9:00 AM.
Smoke Outlook
Periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in Wawona, Yosemite Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows. El Portal is expected to see shorter periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS, with smoke clearing later in the afternoon and evening. Hodgdon Meadows and Mariposa are expected to have GOOD air quality overall.
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 25, 2026