Dome Fire shuts down major Yosemite road

A wildfire in Yosemite National Park has forced the closure of Glacier Point road which leads to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park for visitors, Glacier Point, park officials said.

The Dome Fire broke out north of Wawona Dome near the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead on September 15 and has scorched more than 4,000 acres as of Thursday, according to CalFire.

The road was closed on Wednesday night due to reduced visibility caused by the smoke from the wildfire and to safely allow for firefighting operations in the area to continue, officials said.

The closure involves a 16-mile stretch that connects Wawona Road, the continuation of Highway 41 from Fresno, to Glacier Point. The spot offers visitors a chance to see a stunning view of Yosemite Valley including the famed Half Dome and Yosemite falls.

The fire has also forced some closures of trails south of Glacier Point Road as well, with smoky conditions making air quality unhealthy in some places at times.

Those trails are the Chilnualna Falls Trail, as well as Chilnualna Falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes, according to the National Park website. 

Officials said the The Four Mile Trail and Panorama Trail are still currently open to hikers, 

Glacier Point road is expected to remain closed until conditions improve, park officials said.

The devastating blaze is continuing to be battled from the air and ground.

Two helicopter crew members were killed on September 20 when their aircraft crashed while battling the Dome Fire.

The chopper went down shortly before 3 p.m. with two crew members on board in Mariposa County, according to the FAA.

Aerospace company Fly Precision confirmed both members—Greg King and Ryan Cutter—died.

“We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words,” Fly Precision said in a statement. “We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss.”

CAL FIRE said the Dome Fire has reached areas previously burned by other wildfires, including the 2017 Empire Fire, where less vegetation has contributed to reduced fire behavior.

Officials said the fire was producing creeping and smoldering conditions in those areas, although winds were still carrying embers ahead of the main fire and causing spot fires to the north.

The wildfire began Sept. 15 in Mariposa County. with the blaze 15% contained as of Thursday.

Yosemite National Park is open to visitors, except for the road closure and the few trails.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters