Trails close as firefighters battle 100-acre blaze in Yosemite Valley
A 100-acre wildfire consuming dead trees in the Yosemite Valley has prompted several trail closures and sent a large plume of smoke over the area.
The Tenaya fire was spotted Monday night in the Indian Canyon area above the north rim of Yosemite Valley, according to Yosemite National Park officials. Flames danced along both sides of the Lehamite Creek Trail between Tioga and Valley roads.
As smoke from the fire blanketed Yosemite Valley, flames were continuing to jump and catch onto dead trees, park officials said. Smoky conditions will continue for several days, they said.
Aided by four air tankers and two helicopters, 40 firefighters were working Tuesday to douse the flames.
Firefighters are hoping to make ground on the blaze overnight, when temperatures are expected to drop, park officials said. Temperatures reached 97 degrees in Yosemite Valley on Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Trails on the north rim of Yosemite Valley are closed from south of Tioga Road and east of Yosemite Creek to near Olmsted Point.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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