Harrowing Rescue On Yosemite's Half Dome Caught On Camera

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (KCBS) — As the stubborn Meadow fire continues to smolder in Yosemite National Park, new photos showing the harrowing helicopter rescue of some 75 hikers from atop Half Dome are emerging.

The 4700-acre fire is contained to an area behind Half Dome, but still sending smoke throughout the park, and forcing the closure of the following features among others (Check here for updates):

• The John Muir Trail between the Clouds Rest Junction and Sunrise High Sierra Camp.
• The Sunrise Trail to Clouds Rest through to the John Muir Trail junction.
• Clouds Rest
• The trail along the Merced River between Little Yosemite Valley and Echo Valley.

These trails and areas are open:

• Little Yosemite Valley (LYV) Campground.
• The Mist, Panorama and Half Dome Trails and all climbing routes on Half Dome.
  Sunrise and Merced Lake backpackers' camps.
• The Tenaya Lake Trail
• Sunrise Lakes

At its worst on September 7th, 2014, the fire raged up the back of Half Dome.  The National Park Service has released a few photos showing the view as the five CHP, Yosemite National Park, U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park helicopters plucked 85 hikers from the granite ledge.

Meadow Fire seen from a helicopter rescuing Half Dome hikers 9/7/2014 (NPS)

Half Dome rescue on 9/7/2014 (NPS)

A rescue chopper seen on the Valley floor during wildfire rescue operations (YNP)