The park experienced thunder storms this past weekend (July 24 – 25), which has resulted in two new fires within wilderness boundaries. The fires will be managed for multiple objectives. This means fire managers and firefighters may use less aggressive or minimal actions where the fire is accomplishing benefits on the land. For example, the fire may burn the understory of trees, ridding the area of accumulations of dead and down vegetation and accumulations of needle and leaf litter.
All fires listed are being monitored and data is being collected (fuel moistures and weather ) to determine what actions will be taken. In wilderness areas Minimum Impact Management Tactics (MIMT) are utilized by using natural barriers of rock and lakes, or utilizing trails and past fires thereby lessoning the use of aggressive hand tools, i.e. chain saws. Utilizing the minimal tool and natural features further reduces the work needed to rehabilitate the fire area. Firefighters do this without diverting their attention from the safety of themselves or the public. These adjustments firefighters make to effect minimum resource impacts are essential if the spirit of wilderness and National Parks is to be
maintained.
New Fires
Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co) The slope fire was found late afternoon Sunday the 25, of July, and is approximately one mile n/w of Harden Lake in an area of frequent fires: 1985, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2009. A single tree struck by lightning and 75% of the fire area is experiencing active smoldering and creeping fire behavior. As of 7/26, 2 acres had burned. This fire has potential to grow larger. Periodic smoke may be visible along Tioga Rd, O’Shaughnessy Dam, of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and across the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River toward Rancheria trail area. It is on a north aspect with cedar and fir trees, down tree limbs and compacted short needles as the predominate vegetation. There are numerous trails in the area and hikers are advised to use caution and stay on trails through the fire area; particularly affected will be the Trail to Smith Peak from Harden Lake.
Olmsted fire: (37 48.319 x 119.28.836; 8400’ el., Mariposa Co.) A single tree was hit by lightning and is smoldering on the ground surrounded by granite with little potential to spread. This fire will continue to be visible to those stopping at Olmsted Point or driving along the Tioga Rd.
Other fires:
Tuolumne: (37 57.024 x 119 32.58; 8000’ el., Tuolumne Co). This fire has grown to 3.88 acres, but is showing very minimal fire growth. Due to diminished fire behavior, fire crews were pulled from a spike camp, but will continue to monitor the fire from the air and remote locations from the south side of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River.
Wildcat 2: ( 37 56.865 x 119 30.447; 8000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire has grown to 4.5 acres, and is also showing minimal fire activity. Fire crews will monitor this fire from the same location as the Tuolumne fire.
The National Weather Service is predicting more thunder storms later in the week of 7/26/10.
Another update will be out in the next few days as new data is collected, including photos. Additional maps and photographs are available to view on the Yosemite Webpage: http://www.nps.gov/yose/fire.
“The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public, communities and infrastructure, conserve natural and cultural resources and restore and maintain ecological health.” For Additional Information: Fire Information and Education Office: (209) 372-0480 or Yosemite Online: http://www.nps.gov/yose/fire