Yosemite Fires - Update #20 – September 20, 2011

The active 20 lightning fires did not experience much activity or growth over the weekend. The recent precipitation from the storms last week has slowed the fire activity. As warmer weather settles into the region, more smoke may become visible. All fires are being monitored, patrolled or are staffed. Thunderstorm activity is a possibility in the afternoon along the Sierra Nevada Crest.

Decisions as to what fire to “keep” or “put out” are made by fire managers for a variety of reasons. For example the assessment to keep a fire may be predicated upon public health impacts due to smoke production, frequency of fire in the same location and/or available resources. Each fire is evaluated and assessed on its own merit in comparison of all fires burning within the park.

Fire managers made a decision to put out the Kibbie fire due to high fire behavior and spread potential due to the fire’s alignment with topography, wind and vegetation. The Kibbie fire had the highest potential of all of Yosemite’s current fires to get big quickly. Due to other fires in California and nationally, there were few local fire resources available due to drawdown. Additionally, the Bishop Creek Wildland Urban Interface protection planned prescribed fire is a high priority fall project and is an appropriate trade-off.

Suppression Fire Unit:

Gin: (37 47.467 x 119 46.897; 5,700’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/11) Is contained and in patrol status.

Aspen: (37 47.648 x 119 46.691; 5,700’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/12) Is contained and in patrol status.

South Fork: (37 48.099 x 119 46.065; 5,577’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/12) Is contained and in patrol status.

Valley: (37 48.189 x 119 46.297; 5,577’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/12) Is contained and in patrol status.

Wilderness Fire Unit: Two wilderness fires have potential to move and become larger: Smith, and Tamarack.

Smith (37 55.249 x 119 45.945; 6,300” el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14) It is at 1.5 acres, and burning in red fir and duff with low fire activity. Smoke is visible in the afternoons with the southwest aspect drying of available fuels. Crews are on scene. It has high potential for growth.

Tamarack (37 45.982 x 119 44.436; 7,700’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13). One acre has burned and the fire perimeter is 80% active, with 1’ to 2’ foot flame lengths, burning in red fire duff and forest litter. It is moving toward the north/northeast. It is approximately 1 mile northeast of Tamarack campground, and near the footprint of the 1988 Walker fire. It may be visible from the Tioga Rd.

Starr (37 42.737 x 119 31.096; 8,200’ el., Mariposa Co. 9/14) It is north of Mt Starr King, and is smoldering through ground fuels with very little activity: 5% of the perimeter is active and is .1 of an acre. It has minimal potential for growth. NOTE: The lat/longs have changed.

Coyote Rocks (37 37.49.186 x 119 32.593; 9,000’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/14.) There are four fires in the same general area: Coyote, Snow, Hoffman and Rocks. Each is active. Smoke was visible from the Hoffman fire along Tioga Rd; it is .5 to 1 acre in size.

Blue Jay (37 46.566 x 119 39.111; 8,500’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/14.) It is northeast of Ribbon fire in red fire. This fire is inactive.

Kibbie (37 59.629 x 19 52.437; 5,600”el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14.) It is fully lined and in patrol status.

Hoover (37 38.302 x 119 28.635; 8,500’el. Madera Co. 9/14) It is near the 2001 Hoover fire. It is active and creeping through brush and forest litter.

Dark Hole (37 50.877 x 119 37.702; 8,500’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13) This fire is east of White Wolf and south of Tioga Rd. A single tree was struck and the fire is creeping through forest litter and duff. Light smoke is visible.

Ribbon (37 46.264 x 119 39.291; 8.500’el. Mariposa Co. 9/12) This lightning strike was to a single tree in red fir. It is approximately 2 miles east of Cascade Creek. It remains active.

Cascade (37 45.879 x 119 41.846; 7,700’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/12) This fire is inactive.

Quartzite (37 43.478 x 119 24.468; 9,000’el. Mariposa Co. 9/2) This fire is inactive.

Adair (37.42.675 x 119 23.986; 8,600’el. Mariposa Co. 9.2) It is 2 miles west of Washburn Lake. It is approximately 4.6 acres in size, and is smoldering in forest duff, and remains active.

Avalanche Fire (N37 39.794 x W119 42.238; 6,400’el. Mariposa Co.) The 1,068 acre fire is controlled and in patrol status. Light smoke continues to be visible at the top of Avalanche Creek.

Additional Fires:

Sunrise (37 47.469 x 119 26.088; 9,400’ el., Mariposa CO.) An escaped camp fire was found by park workers. A 10x20 smoldering fire was lined and put out by Helicopter 551 crews Sunday 9/18/2011.