Wildfire — S Sierra Mtns, California

2017-08-29 to 2017-08-31 · S Sierra Mtns, California

Event narrative

The Railroad Fire started just near the community of Sugar Pine along Highway 41, 8.75 miles north of Oakhurst. This area is just south of Yosemite National Park. It spread rapidly, destroying 17 structures, including at least 5 homes, a historic locomotive and the passenger car, snowplow, side dump car and refrigerator car that were attached to it. The fire also burned into the Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoia trees, threatening significant damage.

Wider weather episode

The Railroad Fire started on the afternoon of August 29, 2017, west of Highway 41, 8.75 miles north of Oakhurst, just south of Yosemite National Park near the community of Sugar Pine. The fire spread rapidly in dry brush. Highway 41 between Oakhurst and the south entrance of Yosemite National Park was closed in both directions for about a week with several small communities evacuated, including Tenaya Lodge that serves visitors to Yosemite. The fire burned 12,407 acres before being contained on September 15, 2017. Cost of containment was $20.8 million. There were 17 structures destroyed, including a historic locomotive that wasn't being used, as well as a passenger car, snowplow, side dump car and refrigerator car that were attached to it that were part of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. More than 200 wooden railroad ties also burned. The fire also burned into the Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoia trees.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 718304. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.