As it turns out, the Yosemite Dome Fire that has burned thousands of acres could have been avoided — officials revealed Tuesday that an abandoned campfire sparked the blaze.
The fire began around 7 a.m. on Sept. 15, according to Cal Fire. It has since burned about 5,500 acres and forced the closure of multiple trails in Yosemite National Park.
On Sept. 23, it led to the closure of Glacier Point road, which leads to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park for visitors, Glacier Point, park officials said.
The road was closed due to reduced visibility caused by the smoke from the wildfire and to safely allow for firefighting operations in the area to continue.
As of the latest update, the fire was more than a third contained, according to Cal Fire.
The blaze was burning “in the wilderness, with grass, brush, and timber fuels,” the agency reported previously. “It is running upslope, aligned with terrain and wind, with limited and difficult access.”
The blaze has also claimed the lives of two firefighting pilots, Greg King and Ryan Cutter.
Crews working to contain the fire held a ceremony in Modesto on Tuesday morning to honor them.
While no structures have been damaged, the fire has affected nearby communities and remains active.
The blaze continues to spread to the north and northeast, while crews have been able to hold the western and southern sides of the fire.
