News Release
News Release Date: September 26, 2026
Current Situation
4,498 acres
28% containment
781 personnel
- The fire grew 240 acres since yesterday morning. Containment has increased to 28%.
- The fire is moving north and northeast in the old 2017 Empire Fire footprint and is inside the Yosemite Wilderness.
- Heavy dead and fallen trees throw embers ahead of the fire and is one of the main reasons for spot fires.
- Higher humidity makes it harder for those embers to start new fires.
- One new Division is being added in Branch X to expand the span of control and to continue to implement additional control lines in the wilderness.
- Crews are building and widening fire lines near Bridalveil Creek, Empire Meadows and Horse Ridge.
- Crews are taking advantage of 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.
- 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
Low pressure moving into the area will bring cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and strong south to southwest winds with gusts reaching 15 to 20mph through the weekend.
Smoke Outlook
GOOD air quality today for Wawona, El Portal, Hodgdon Meadow, and Mariposa. Southwest winds will bring smoke to Tuolumne Meadows beginning in the late morning and continuing through the afternoon. Air quality is expected to be UNHEALTHYFOR SENSITIVE GROUPS with periods of heavier smoke possible. Air quality for Yosemite Valley is expected to be MODERATE.
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 26, 2026