News Release
News Release Date: September 27, 2026
Current Situation
4,809 acres
30% containment
781 personnel
- The fire has grown 311 acres since yesterday morning and is now 30% contained.
- The fire continues to move slowly north and northeast into the 2017 Empire Fire footprint, where rocky terrain and natural barriers are helping slow its spread.
- While higher humidity is expected today, higher winds can result in longer range spotting.
- Crews are building and widening fire lines near Bridalveil Creek, Empire Meadows and Horse Ridge.
- In Wawona and Yosemite West, crews are clearing brush around homes, checking hydrant pressure and keeping roads open.
- No roads, buildings or utilities are under immediate threat.
- Visitors may continue to see or smell smoke as conditions change.
Weather
Cool temperatures and elevated humidity are providing firefighters with better conditions to strengthen containment lines. Expect strong south to southwest winds with gusts reaching 25 mph through the weekend.
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.WeatherLow 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 27, 2026