Yosemite Fires (Update #12)

Cascade: (37 46.173 x 119 40.519; 7800'El., Mariposa Co., 6.15.12). The fire is at 1705 acres, based on a reconnaissance flight by Helicopter 551 on October 17, 2012. Although the fire area received rain and snow during the early part of this week (October 22), the fire has not been declared out.

Before the storm, the west and northwest flanks of the fire were the most active, and showing very light fire activity. Little future growth is predicted for the Cascade fire. The fire will continue to be monitored.

Currently, no smoke is visible. Air quality has remained in the good range with no significant health impacts in nearby smoke sensitive areas. Air quality monitors are located in the communities of Foresta, Yosemite West, Yosemite Valley, El Portal and Lee Vining. The park's webcam, located at Crane Flat Helibase, captures fire images, which can be viewed at: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm.

Firefighter and public safety are always the primary importance and consideration with all fires.

What a great fire! After four months and one week of burning, it was still less than three square miles in extent. When I saw it last month, it was just creeping along the ground, burning the forest litter and sparing the trees.

For some reason, the summer and fall thunderstorms just a few miles to the north missed this area. The first real rainfall of the Fall came with an inch of rain reported at the Crane Flat helipad on Oct 22. After that, it seems unlikely that the fire will continue to do much more.

Looking forward to checking it all out in the Spring. Anything that kills the brush and spares the trees is good...

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wherever
...Looking forward to checking it all out in the Spring. Anything that kills the brush and spares the trees is good...

It should wake up the wildflowers. Be sure to bring a camera.

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Dave

It should wake up the wildflowers. Be sure to bring a camera.

With charged batteries.
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