Someone broke the rules. Yosemite wants to know who. Photo: InciWeb
Yosemite National Park is searching for witnesses to step forward and help identify the perpetrators behind the Dome Fire currently raging in Northern California. The fire, which started on September 15, has scorched 6,300 acres south of Yosemite Valley and is currently 40 percent contained.
Several days ago, Cal Fire announced that an abandoned campfire ignited the wildfire. Now they are asking anyone who hiked on the Chilnualna Falls Trail between September 9 and 15 to provide information about what they saw to aid in the investigation. Those with information can call or email the park.
The fire started spreading a quarter mile north of Chilnualna Falls, in terrain around 7,000 feet of elevation. The park had put fire restrictions in place since August 1 for areas below 8,000 feet, prohibiting wood and charcoal fires except in designated areas.
The Dome Fire has prompted closures on the south end of the park and led to poor air quality in Yosemite Valley. A heat wave coming to California over the weekend will create above-normal temperatures, light wind, and low humidity, which could stoke the fire even more.
Several days after the fire started, two helicopters fighting the blaze crashed, killing both pilots.
