Two fires started by lightning in Yosemite National Park have been burning since the beginning of the month. They have been monitored and fire crews are assessing natural barriers, like granite, to confine and contain the fires.
The Red Fire was discovered on August 4 between Red Creek and Illilouette Creek at 7,800 ft. elevation. It was discovered by a helicopter crew behind Half Dome. It is a lightning-caused fire that is burning in the 2001 Hoover Fire footprint. As of August 30, the fire has burned 2,083 acres.
The Rodgers fire was discovered on August 8 northwest of Rodgers Canyon and southwest of Pleasant Valley at 8,100 ft elevation. It is burning in the high country of the Yosemite wilderness and is now 1,518 acres.
Both fires have been contained so far by natural barriers.
Smoke was seen at sunset over Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, and the smoke forecast has smoke heading into the Sierra and Lake Tahoe Basin on Wednesday. At this time air quality at the lake is not expected to be comprimised.