Yosemite National Park, California — The Dome Fire has nearly quadrupled in size in less than a week, continuing to burn through rugged wilderness in Yosemite National Park as firefighters face difficult terrain and limited access to the blaze.
The wildfire began around 8:28 a.m. on Sept. 15 near Wawona Dome, in a remote section of the national park. More than a week later, the fire has grown to thousands of acres, while crews continue working to slow its spread.
The response has also been marked by tragedy. Two helicopter pilots died on Sept. 20 when their helicopter crashed while they were battling the fire.
Dome Fire Has Burned More Than 4,000 Acres
The Dome Fire has expanded rapidly in recent days.
As of Sept. 24, the blaze had burned approximately 4,030 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, commonly known as Cal Fire.
That represents a significant increase from the 1,177.1 acres reported on Sept. 17, meaning the fire has nearly quadrupled in size in roughly one week.
Firefighters have faced major challenges because the fire is burning deep within Yosemite’s wilderness, where rugged terrain and limited access make it difficult for crews and equipment to reach portions of the blaze.
The remote location has complicated efforts to construct and reinforce fire lines around the fire’s perimeter.
Containment Remains at 15%
As of 7 a.m. on Sept. 24, the Dome Fire was 15% contained, according to Cal Fire.
Containment does not mean that 15% of the fire has been extinguished. Instead, it means firefighters have established control lines around approximately 15% of the fire’s perimeter.
The remaining perimeter can still spread, particularly when weather and terrain create favorable conditions for fire growth. Fire crews continue to construct, inspect and strengthen containment lines as the response progresses.
Two Helicopter Pilots Died Fighting the Fire
The wildfire response suffered a devastating loss on Sept. 20 when two helicopter pilots were killed in a crash while working on the firefighting operation.
The pilots were identified as Greg King of Palmer, Alaska, and Ryan Cutter of Park City, Utah.
Both were working for Precision, an Oregon-based helicopter contractor involved in the firefighting response.
The deaths have added another tragic dimension to an already difficult wildfire operation as crews continue battling the growing blaze.
No Evacuation Orders Have Been Issued
Despite the fire’s continued growth, no evacuation orders or warnings had been issued as of Sept. 24 because of the Dome Fire.
The National Park Service said there were no immediate threats to infrastructure or developed areas at that time. However, conditions can change quickly during an active wildfire, particularly when winds, humidity and temperatures shift.
The fire is burning within a few miles of Wawona, a historic Yosemite community that includes lodging, cabins and the Yosemite History Center.
Visitors and residents in the surrounding area are being urged to stay informed as firefighters continue monitoring the situation.
Glacier Point Road Closed Because of Smoke
Smoke has also affected access within Yosemite.
The National Park Service announced that Glacier Point Road would close at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 because of reduced visibility caused by smoke.
People who were already parked overnight at Glacier Point were permitted to leave after the closure went into effect. The Four Mile and Panorama trails remain open to hikers, providing access toward Glacier Point.
Visitors should continue checking conditions before traveling because wildfire-related closures can change as the fire and smoke conditions evolve.
Dry Weather Is Making Firefighting Difficult
Weather conditions have added another challenge for crews.
On Sept. 23, the area experienced drier conditions with little to no cloud cover, while temperatures reached the upper 60s and humidity hovered around 30%.
Winds were also expected to shift toward the southwest, according to the National Park Service.
In a remote wilderness environment, changes in wind direction can affect how quickly flames spread and where smoke moves. Firefighters must therefore continue adjusting operations as conditions change.
Cause of the Fire Remains Under Investigation
Officials are still investigating what caused the Dome Fire to start.
The wildfire is the latest major fire to threaten the Yosemite area. Firefighters previously mounted a large response to the 2022 Washburn Fire, which burned near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
For now, the Dome Fire remains active, with thousands of acres already burned and most of its perimeter still outside containment.
Although there are currently no evacuation orders or warnings, the situation remains dynamic as crews work in challenging wilderness terrain.
Have you been following the Dome Fire in Yosemite? What are your thoughts on the wildfire’s rapid growth and the challenges firefighters are facing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
