Yosemite: Half Dome cables to reopen Saturday; fire 23% contained

The Meadow fire in Yosemite National Park that earlier forced the evacuation of hikers and climbers on Half Dome is 23% contained as of Thursday morning (today). With firefighting continuing on the blaze near Little Yosemite Valley, park officials say they’ll reopen the popular Half Dome hiking cables Saturday.

The ladder-like metal cables that hikers use to reach the top of the 8,800-foot granite peak have been closed since Sunday after the fire that started July 19 suddenly took off. It forced the helicopter evacuation of about 85 people.

The trail to the base of Half Dome reopened Thursday to day hikers only. Other trails — Echo Creek and Sunrise Creek drainages to Little Yosemite Valley and the Sunrise Trail to Clouds Rest — are still closed.

The daily lottery for Half Dome cable permits resumes at Recreation.gov. [Permits are required through Oct. 12; for more information, visit the website or call (209) 372-0826 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PDT.]

Though park roads and Yosemite Valley are open, officials warned visitors about air quality.

“Visible smoke in the early-morning hours may be present in and around Yosemite Valley and the Half Dome hike. Visitors who are sensitive to smoke should consider rescheduling their hike to Half Dome or their visit to Yosemite National Park.”

The InciWeb fire information website on Thursday reports that about 550 firefighters are battling the blaze estimated at 4,900 acres.

The park also was scheduled Thursday to go ahead with its second annual event in which disabled veterans scale some of Yosemite’s high points to commemorate 9/11. Thirteen veterans planned to summit El Capitan, Royal Arches and Ranger Rock instead of Half Dome, the original destination.