Hetchy Fire
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA
Wildland Fire

Started on or about
10/15/2004 (Afternoon)

Status as of
10/17/2004

Cause
Human

Location
north and adjacent to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (CA)

Acreage
1,470 acres as of 10/16 (morning)

Resources Committed
Yosemite Fire crews, Alpine Hotshots, Yosemite Helitack crew, three helicopters

Estimated Containment Date
10/30/04

Park Status
The road leading to Hetch Hetchy is currently closed beyond the entrance station as well as all trails in and leading to the Hetch Hetchy area.

Updates on Fire
As of 10/17 this fire is 2,000 acres and with recent rainfall, is showing little to no activity. With helicopters grounded due to weather, a full aerial assessment is unavailable at this time.

Overview
The Hetchy Fire is a suspected arson fire and is approximately 1,470 acres in size as of the morning of 10/16. Fire managers at the Crane Flat lookout noticed smoke yesterday morning (10/15) at approximately 11:30 am. Firefighters who responded to the fire via helicopter evacuated two hikers from the area. The two hikers reported that a man on the trail was lighting the fires.

National Park Service Rangers are in the area to apprehend the suspected arsonist.

Strategy
All human-caused fires in Yosemite are suppressed. The objective is to suppress the Hetchy Fire using confinement strategies.

Vegetation Affected
mixed brush, hardwoods, and mixed conifer forests

Air / Smoke Issues
Smoke is noticeable in Yosemite Valley, primarily in the late night and early morning hours. These impacts are primarily the result of local fires burning in Yosemite, as well as other regional fires burning north of Yosemite.

Contact Information
Deb Schweizer/ Marea Ortiz
Phone Number: (209) 372-0333/ 0491
marea_ortiz@nps.gov