Yosemite: Dome Fire 86% Contained, Minimal Activity
Dome Fire containment reaches 86% and its perimeter has held steady for several days. Fire activity stays minimal, limited to interior pockets of heat.
By Jocelyn Pion, · Updated
Developing story · 23 updates since the first story Jump to where it started
Timeline
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Latest update
Dome Fire: Containment Reaches 86%
Progress on the Dome Fire continues, and containment now stands at 86%. The fire's perimeter hasn't changed in several days, a sign that the fire line is holding steady. Fire activity remains minimal, with no new spread observed. Any smoke still visible is coming from interior pockets of heat within the perimeter, not from advancing flames. Crews are continuing to secure the areas they've already worked.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 13, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire now 73% contained, spike camps evacuated by helicopter
Firefighters flew all their crews out of the spike camps by helicopter, deep in the wilderness, ahead of the expected rain and possible snow up high. Containment is now up to 73%, higher than the day before. Operations are now focused on mopping up hot spots and running tactical patrols around the perimeter.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 12, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire: No Growth, Eastern Fireline Secured
All control lines held, and the fire recorded no additional growth over the latest day of operations. Fire activity remains minimal. On the east side, crews finished a priority section of fireline ahead of the wind gusts forecast for the area this weekend. That work was pushed early to lock down this side of the operation while conditions still allowed.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 10, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire Containment Rises to 61%
This morning, crews are focused on the north and west sides of the Dome Fire, where they're still mopping up hot spots and patrolling. The area remains remote and the terrain tough. Yesterday's work pushed the fight forward, and containment now stands at 61%. The morning update reports no other changes.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 9, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire Holds Within Its Perimeter
Firefighters are reinforcing containment lines, and the Dome Fire is holding within its current footprint. More crews keep rolling in, joining the suppression effort as they arrive. Their focus now turns inside the perimeter, where pockets of fire are still feeding on dead and downed timber. These heavy fuels are still burning, and that's where the crews are concentrating their work on the ground.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 8, 2026 (morning)
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The East Side Becomes the Top Priority
The fire's eastern side is now the day's top priority. Crews are working the fire's edge from two directions, coming down from the north and up from the south. This shift in resources was made possible by the gains on the fire's south and southwest sides. Thanks to those gains, several crews were able yesterday to reposition and reinforce the neighboring divisions.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 7, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire: 29 Helicopter Missions and Progress on the East Side
Crews focused their efforts on the fire's eastern edge, the only section still active, where they made good progress building containment lines. On the north, west, and south sides, firefighters managed to limit the fire's growth. Helicopters supported these operations with 29 helicopter missions over the course of the day. So the effort stays pointed at holding the eastern front, while the other edges are secured.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 6, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire: helicopters reinforce the eastern flank
Helicopters are now backing the operation with water drops and repositioning firefighters toward the most active areas. Their priority is the eastern flank, where crews keep working to lock down containment. They're also supporting the fight against a slopover that had jumped the Ostrander Lake Trail on Thursday. To the south and west, things stayed stable. On Sunday, the fire never left its footprint. Teams there mopped up residual hotspots and firmed up the containment lines.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 5, 2026 (morning)
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Handline on the East Flank, Spot Fires Being Addressed
Today, crews are focused on building additional handline along the eastern side. At the same time, they're working to address the spot fires found over the past few days. This comes after fire activity picked up yesterday, with temperatures staying well above normal and the air staying dry. For you as a visitor, that lingering dryness keeps the risk of smoke around. Check access conditions before you head out, and follow the posted guidance on site.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 4, 2026 (morning)
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Hotshot Reinforcements En Route, Focus Shifts to the Northeast Flank
The fire's northeast flank is now where the effort is concentrated. Multiple spot fires broke out there Thursday afternoon, making it the firefighters' top priority. To handle them, additional Interagency Hotshot Crews have been ordered, and the first ones are arriving at the incident. These specialized crews are meant to reinforce the fight on those isolated flare-ups before they can gain ground. Their buildup continues as more teams reach the area.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 3, 2026 (morning)
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Fire Activity Picks Up in the Northeast, Near Bridalveil Creek
In the southern area, crews continue to make progress and are reinforcing containment lines. On the west side, the fire is slowly backing down the slope toward control lines. In the northeast, near Bridalveil Creek, fire activity increased under wind gusts reaching 20 mph and low relative humidity. The fire spotted out ahead of its front, spot fires that are gaining ground ahead of the main line. So the picture really does vary from one area to the next.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 2, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire Containment Climbs to 40%
Containment is now up to 40%. Crews are still running tactical burns along Glacier Point Road and the Bridalveil Creek Trail, where they're clearing dry brush and fallen trees to build stronger control lines and work more safely. Those operations are part of why the fire has grown, gaining 192 acres since yesterday morning. That added acreage is intentional. It's meant to shore up the perimeter rather than something the crews simply have to absorb.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, October 1, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire: Containment Reaches 39%
The Dome Fire has grown by 242 acres since yesterday morning. It's now 39% contained. What stands out in this update is that containment is outpacing the fire's growth. In other words, crews are gaining ground on the fire faster than it's spreading. No further changes are reported in this morning's update.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 30, 2026 (morning)
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Two Pilots Killed in Helicopter Crash on the Dome Fire
Two pilots were killed when their firefighting helicopter went down while working the Dome Fire. According to Active NorCal and wildfiretoday.com, they were US Forest Service contractors flying with Precision Helicopters, one from Alaska and one from Utah. The aircraft crashed southeast of Ostrander Lake around 2:55 p.m. on September 20, 2026, according to Active NorCal. The park is still open. Glacier Point Road remains closed because of the fire, while the Four Mile Trail and the Panorama Trail are still open to visitors.
Official source : Two dead in helicopter crash at the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park ; The Two Pilots Killed Fighting Yosemite’s Dome Fire Flew In From Alaska and Utah to Do It ; Top stories: Clovis’ high-density housing. Student Yosemite death. Dome Fire’s slow burn
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Dome Fire: 3,042 Acres Burned, Chilnualna Trails Still Closed
The Chilnualna Falls Trail remains closed, along with the routes connecting the summit to Buena Vista Lake and Crescent Lakes, according to the New York Post and The Mercury News. The fire has grown to 3,042 acres (4.7 square miles) and is still at zero containment, per The Mercury News and NBC Bay Area. No structures have been damaged, though steep, remote terrain is limiting crews' access, NBC Bay Area and the New York Post report. Around Wawona, the fire is still visible from Wawona Road, while air quality in Yosemite Valley remains moderate.
Official source : Fast-moving wildfire erupts in Yosemite National Park ; Map: Dome Fire closes some Yosemite trails ; Dome Fire burns more than 1,000 acres near Yosemite
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Dome Fire 30% Contained on the Morning of September 27
The Dome Fire is now 30% contained as of the morning of September 27. It has grown just 311 acres since yesterday morning. The fire keeps moving slowly north and northeast into the footprint left by the 2017 Empire Fire. There, rocky terrain and natural barriers are helping to slow its spread.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 27, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire Now 28% Contained After Growing 240 Acres
The Dome Fire grew 240 acres since yesterday morning, pushing containment to 28%. The fire is moving north and northeast inside the Yosemite Wilderness, across the footprint left by the 2017 Empire Fire. On the ground, crews are focusing on three areas, building and widening fire lines near Bridalveil Creek, Empire Meadows, and Horse Ridge.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 26, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire: 228 More Acres, 17% Contained
No roads, buildings, or utilities are under immediate threat. Crews are now focused on three areas, near Bridalveil Creek, Empire Meadows, and Horse Ridge, where they're building and widening fire lines. Since yesterday morning, the fire has grown by another 228 acres. Containment is climbing and now stands at 17%.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 25, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire Grows 194 Acres, Firelines Extended
The Dome Fire grew by 194 acres since yesterday. Wildland firefighters made progress tying their handlines into the Bridalveil Creek trail system and the footprint of the 2017 Empire Fire. They're continuing to build contingency lines along Glacier Point Road.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 24, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire Spreads on Its North and Northeast Flanks
In this latest update, the north and northeast flanks are where the fire is gaining ground. The Dome Fire didn't settle down overnight; it kept pushing mainly on those two sides, while the other sectors moved a lot less. If you're planning to head into the northern part of the park, plan for this and check access conditions before you head out. This bulletin doesn't include any updated acreage or containment figures.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 23, 2026 (morning)
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Dome Fire: Moderate Growth and Spotting to the East
The Dome Fire keeps spreading at a moderate rate of growth. The night before this update, it gained ground inside the 2017 Empire Fire footprint, while the spot fire to the east grew. As the flames move north into that footprint, they're meeting heavy dead and down fuels that are receptive to spotting. Fire behavior stays moderate, but spotting is the biggest challenge in the full suppression effort on this fire.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 21, 2026 (morning)
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2,667 acres burned, three priority areas on the north side
The morning bulletin for September 20, 2026 puts the Dome Fire at 2,667 acres, still 15% contained, with 525 personnel assigned. The fire spread 283 acres overnight along its northern edges and is moving into the footprint of the 2017 Empire Fire. Crews are prioritizing three areas: a spot fire east of Turner Meadow, another in Empire Meadows, and isolated hot spots near Chilnualna Falls. There are no evacuation orders or warnings. The park remains open; only the Chilnualna Falls Trail and the trails toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes are closed. Air quality is forecast as unhealthy for sensitive groups in Wawona and Yosemite Valley.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 20, 2026 (morning)
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September 19 bulletin: 2,335 acres, 15% contained
Official bulletin of September 19, 2026, added September 21, 2026
On the morning of September 19, 2026, the Dome Fire covered 2,335 acres after growing 149 acres overnight. Containment held at 15%, with 497 personnel and nine helicopters assigned. The fire was moving toward the perimeters of the 2017 Empire and South Fork Fires, which crews expect to help slow its growth. There were no evacuation orders and no immediate threat to infrastructure. Closed: the Chilnualna Falls Trail and the trails from the top of the falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes, within an area east of Wawona Road between Wawona and Chinquapin.
Official source : Dome Fire Update, September 19, 2026 (morning)
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Yosemite: Dome Fire Still Active in the North of the Park
The Dome Fire stayed active overnight on September 18, 2026, in Yosemite, with moderate activity to the north and northwest.
If you're planning a trip to Yosemite in the coming days, one thing is worth watching. The Dome Fire, a wildfire currently burning in the park, stayed active overnight. That's the word from park crews on the morning of September 18, 2026.
Here's what the facts say, and there's no need to dramatize. Fire activity is described as moderate, and it's concentrated to the north and northwest. In other words, the fire isn't out, but it didn't flare up overnight either. It's moving in a clearly identified direction, which helps crews track how it develops.
For you, the traveler, the practical takeaway comes down to one thing. Check before you go. An active fire, even a moderate one, can change access to certain areas and worsen air quality depending on the wind. So we recommend checking road and access conditions right before you leave, rather than relying on information that's several days old. A fire situation changes fast, sometimes from one morning to the next.
Before you get in the car, look at whether your route touches the northern or northwestern part of the park, the area involved here. Have a backup plan in case a section is temporarily harder to reach, and keep an eye on air quality if you're sensitive to smoke or traveling with kids.
This kind of episode is part of life in the parks of the American West in late summer, when the vegetation is dry. It doesn't take anything away from the visit, it just calls for a little flexibility in your planning.
To plan your trip with confidence and figure out what to see once you're there, lean on our Yosemite park guide. And if you're picturing a bigger trip through the region, this park fits naturally into our road trip itinerary that runs through it.
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Where it started
Yosemite: Dome Fire burns near Wawona, a few trails closed
An active wildfire northeast of Wawona is closing some trails and sending smoke across parts of Yosemite, and here's what it means for your visit.
If you're planning a visit to the south side of Yosemite, here's a situation worth keeping in mind before you lock in your plans. A wildfire called the Dome Fire is currently burning in the wilderness northeast of Wawona, the small, historic area known for its giant sequoias and a quieter feel than the main valley.
First, the good news. For now, the impacts are minimal. The fire is staying in a remote area, well away from the main travel corridors. In practice, it has closed a few hiking trails within that zone. Nothing that derails your trip, but enough to rethink a walk if you were counting on exploring the paths in this particular corner.
The second thing to plan for is the air. When a fire smolders in the backcountry, smoke travels with the wind, and smoky conditions are possible around Wawona. That's nothing unusual in western parks late in the season, but it's worth taking seriously. If you're traveling with young kids, older adults, or anyone with a respiratory sensitivity, keep an eye on the air quality the day you go and have a backup outing ready, over in the valley, say, where the air may be clearer.
Here's our practical tip. Check on trail conditions at a park visitor center right before you head out to hike, because a fire moves fast and a closure list gets updated by the hour. To place Wawona within the wider park and plan the rest of your stay, lean on the Yosemite park guide, which sets each area within the big picture.
And if Yosemite is part of a bigger trip, this park sits on our road trip itinerary that runs through it, handy for arranging your stops around a possible change of plans. Nothing alarming at this stage, then, but a useful bit of caution so you set out well informed.
Official source : Dome Fire causing minimal impacts