Harden Fire Continues to Move Within Established Boundaries

Progress continues on the Grouse and Harden fires in Yosemite National Park. The Grouse Fire (1500 acres) is about three miles southwest of Yosemite Valley and north of Glacier Point Road. The Harden Fire (931 acres) is on the north side of the park, west of Harden Lake and northwest of White Wolf.

Almost 500 personnel are working on the Grouse and Harden fires. Due to distance between fire camps and the complexities associated with supporting these incidents, local fire managers decided it was necessary to transition the Grouse Fire to a Type 2 organization. A transfer of command to the Central Sierra Type II Incident Management Team takes place on the Grouse Fire at 6:00 a.m., July 3.

The fires continue to move within their boundaries and meet objectives that managers have set for the incidents. Objectives for the Grouse and Harden fires will remain the same under the new organization. The objectives include restoring fire dependent forest systems, managing smoke production, protecting wildlife habitat and preserving cultural and natural resources. In order to accomplish these objectives, management areas are defined where the fires will be allowed to spread. In addition, within these areas, management action points are identified where actions will be taken to slow, stop, redirect or enhance fire spread. The management area for Grouse is about 3,000 acres and approximately 1,600 acres are planned for Harden.

On Friday, personnel will continue to take measures to achieve the objectives set out for the incidents. These actions include conducting management ignitions along Glacier Point Road, on the north side of the fire near Wawona Road and within the interior as well as constructing, and reinforcing hand line to maintain fire within the determined boundaries.

Travelers are advised of temporary road delays and closures, due to smoke and firefighters working along the Wawona Road and the Glacier Point Road. Travelers will see fire and smoke along the roads. For firefighter and driver safety, please use caution.

Trail closures have been implemented on the Harden Fire for public safety. The closures are the Smith Meadow to White Wolf and Aspen Valley to White Wolf. There is an alternate route to Pate Valley from White Wolf, which bypasses the Harden Lake area.

Park staff continues to monitor smoke and work closely with Mariposa and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts to address air quality concerns. Managers have implemented actions on the Grouse Fire to meet incident objectives and minimize smoke impacts to the park and surrounding communities. Smoky conditions may exist late evening and early morning within the park, and in surrounding areas. To see air quality data, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm

Wilderness Fire Unit:

Grouse (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500', Mariposa Co.), started May 30. It is approximately 1500 acres and 17 percent contained. There are 335 personnel committed to the Grouse Fire. Personnel are working ahead of the fire implementing management actions along containment lines to prevent spread outside the management area. The fire is visible along Wawona Road (Highway 41) and Glacier Point Road. Please expect temporary road delays near the fire vicinity.

Harden (37 53.624 x 119 42.221; 7800', Tuolumne Co); Lightning-caused, probably on June 8. It is north of White Wolf, west of Harden Lake and within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter. It is 930 acres, 25 percent contained and burning mostly in brush and Red Fir. There are 141personnel assigned to the Harden Fire.

There has been no additional fire spread or growth on the Indian Creek, Mono and Cottonwood fires.

Fire Information: Please call 209/375-9574

For Additional Information: The park website, http://www.nps.gov/yose/fire; or email at: yose_fire_information@nps.gov.