Wildfire closes road to iconic Yosemite viewpoint

A wildfire in Yosemite National Park has forced 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 Dome Fire broke out north of Wawona Dome near the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead on September 15 and has scorched more than 4,000 acres as of Thursday, according to CalFire.The road was closed on Wednesday night due to reduced visibility caused by the smoke from the wildfire and to safely allow for firefighting operations in the area to continue, officials said.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story The closure involves a 16-mile stretch that connects Wawona Road, the continuation of Highway 41 from Fresno, to Glacier Point.The spot offers visitors a chance to see a stunning view of Yosemite Valley including the famed Half Dome and Yosemite falls.The fire has also forced some closures of trails south of Glacier Point Road as well, with smoky conditions making air quality unhealthy in some places at times.Those trails are the Chilnualna Falls Trail, as well as Chilnualna Falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes, according to the National Park website. Officials said the The Four Mile Trail and Panorama Trail are still currently open to hikers, Glacier Point road is expected to remain closed until conditions improve, park officials said.The devastating blaze is continuing to be battled from the air and ground.

Two helicopter crew members were killed on September 20 when their aircraft crashed while battling the Dome Fire.The chopper went down shortly before 3 p.m.with two crew members on board in Mariposa County, according to the FAA.Aerospace company Fly Precision confirmed both members—Greg King and Ryan Cutter—died.“We are devastated by this loss and are struggling...