Staff Report –
An unattended campfire ignited a wildfire in Yosemite National Park on Sept. 15 that led to the deaths of two helicopter pilots, burned nearly 5,500 acres and continues to scorch through the southern region of the park, according to fire officials.
An investigation into the cause of the Dome Fire found that someone started a campfire and the unattended flames sparked the blaze, according to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle.
The wildfire grew to 5,484 acres Tuesday morning — approximately 193 acres overnight — and was 39% contained as of Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire.
The Dome Fire was reported the morning of Sept. 15 about a quarter-mile north of Chilnaulna Falls, near Wawona.
Yosemite National Park remains open and is operating normally with some exceptions, according to the National Park Service, which has jurisdiction over the fire. The Chilnualna Falls trail, as well as the trails from the top of Chilnualna Falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes, are closed while fire crews continue to battle the blaze, NPS officials said. The Ostrander Trail and all areas and trails south also remain closed, and the Mariposa-Yosemite Airport is closed to civilian traffic.
Two helicopter pilots identified as Ryan Cutter and Greg King died Sept. 20 in a crash while conducting water-bucket drops on the fire. A procession was held in their honor Tuesday morning in Modesto, NPS reported.
The federal park agency did not release additional details Tuesday about the cause or whether officials have identified a suspect.
The wildfire’s growth slowed Monday partially thanks to cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity, officials said Tuesday morning. Crews tied in more of the fire’s perimeter to control lines along the north and northeast areas of the blaze.
The smoke from the fire is still visible in towns around Yosemite, including Coulterville in Mariposa County.
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