Meadow Fire

Meadow Fire
The Meadow Fire on September 7, 2014, during the late afternoon hours.
Date(s)	July 19, 2014 (2014-07-19) – September 29, 2014 (2014-09-29)
Location	Little Yosemite Valley, California
Coordinates	37.712°N 119.509°W / 37.712; -119.509
Statistics
Burned area	4,971 acres (20 km2)
Ignition
Cause	Lightning
Map

The Meadow Fire burning in Yosemite Valley, on September 7, 2014

The Meadow Fire was a wildfire which burned areas near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California. Park officials believe it was started near Starr King Lake, during a lightning storm, on July 19, 2014. On Sunday, September 7, 2014 the fire forced authorities to order the evacuation by helicopter of dozens of hikers and tourists. On September 16, 2014 the fire burned 4,971 acres (2,012 ha) and was 80% contained. On September 18, the containment of the Meadow Fire increased to 85%, without having expanded further. During the next 4 days, firefighters were able to make significant progress on extinguishing the fire, especially with the 0.25 inches of rainfall during the weekend, and by September 22, the containment of the Meadow Fire had increased to 98%. From September 25 to 26, the containment of the wildfire still remained at 98%, despite some snow and rain falling in the region. On September 27, an additional inch of precipitation helped quench the wildfire, and on September 29, the Meadow Fire was 100% contained. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

The damage caused by the Meadow Fire was severe. The high-intensity wildfire burned very hot and, in some areas, the large fir and lodgepole pines were reduced to charcoal stalagmites.

The Little Yosemite Valley backpacker's campsite is not within the Meadow Fire's burn scar.

Recovery

The forest floor was slow to recover due to the California drought, with scarce greenery and a thick layer of ash covering the ground in 2015. However, scientists predicted that the coniferous forest would regenerate once rains returned.

Yosemite National Park’s policy of allowing fire to act as an ecological tool means fire-adapted species (pines, firs, oaks, shrubs) will sprout and reseed in the burn scar. Despite the 2014–2016 drought, scientists noted early regrowth by 2016–2017, including shrubs and young fir saplings, while some trees survived as snags, nourishing understory plants. A 2016 report confirmed that “trees and other foliage have regrown” in recently burned areas despite the drought.

Restoration crews did not replant trees, adhering to a minimal intervention policy, but performed hazard mitigation. Standing dead trees (snags) posing risks to hikers were removed. In less-trafficked areas, downed tree trunks and brush were left to decompose, providing habitat and nutrients. The Park also monitored for erosion and invasive species in newly disturbed areas. Measures like reseeding meadows or treating invasive species were likely considered in Little Yosemite Valley, as noted by the Wilderness Restoration Program.

By 2020–2021, seven years post-fire, young pines and firs were visible in the burn area, along with flourishing wetland and meadow vegetation, following trends seen in Illilouette Basin. Ongoing studies, including one using aerial lidar in 2019, showed that the first-entry fire created resilient forest patterns, with open stands and clumped trees. Research also indicated that managed wildfires improve watershed function, enhancing streamflow and moisture compared to fully suppressed forests. The aftermath of the Meadow Fire has become a model for understanding how natural fires can restore forest health.