Re: Yosemite Fire Update

A new fire, the Bald, was reported on June 24, 2011, by the Yosemite Helitack, and Stanislaus National Forest’s Pilot and Smith Peak fire look-outs. It is suspected this is a lightning caused fire holdover from the June 5, 2011 thunderstorms. Fire crews will investigate the site of the origin for cause determination.

Bald Fire: (37 50.823x119 47.434, approximate el. 6,200’, Tuolumne Co.) The fire is now 210 acres in size. Fire activity increased in the afternoon on June 25, 20111, moving toward the east. The suspected cause is lightning of June 5, 2011. The fire is in wilderness, but is within a zone where fires are put out due to threats to property, structures and other infrastructures. The fire is approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the community of Aspen Valley. Yesterday (6/26), Yosemite Firefighters were joined by “Hot Shot” crews from the Sequoia and Stanislaus National Forests and Sequoia National Park. In addition, the Stanislaus National Forest Helicopter will assist with air operations with water bucket drops and equipment hauling. Many fires have occurred in this area over the years due to lightning, the largest being the 1996 Ackerson Fire, which burned over 60 thousand acres in the Park. The fire is burning in a remote area and the terrain is steep and rugged. Firefighters indicated there was a moderate rate of fire spread and spotting through the brush. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) are being utilized by firefighters to minimize impacts to wilderness. For example, utilizing natural fires breaks of rock areas rather than cut hand line. Additional resources have been ordered including two more 20 person Hot Shot crews. A total of 130 firefighters will be on scene for today's operational period.

The Cottonwood/Ackerson Trailheads, access to Aspen Valley, are now blocked, signed and closed to hikers and pack stock.

Cottonwood Fire: (37.9043x119.8024, 5,000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire was found on June 6, 2011, after a thunderstorm of June 5. A decision was made to put the fire out on June 23, 2011. The fire is in patrol status, and will monitored on a regular basis.

Smoke from the Bald Fire is visible from the Tioga Rd., west of White Wolf, and along the Evergreen Rd., near Ackerson Meadow, and in some locations along Highway 120 into the park from Buck Meadows. It is dispersing toward the northeast from the Bald Fire. This fire is remote will pose no health or driving hazards from smoke.

Uh... I told you about this here:

http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,39688,39691#msg-39691

http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,39688,39717#msg-39717

Spied it from atop Hoffman also...

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Quote
chick-on
Uh... I told you about this here:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,39688,39691#msg-39691
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,39688,39717#msg-39717
Spied it from atop Hoffman also...

TWIMC,
Don't trust chikin.
Trust Goatie.
Trust eeek.
(Selectively Yours)
The Marmots

I just love warming my "bum" on this Olmstead granite - June 24, 2011.

https://picasaweb.google.com/bobnicholas49/SierraTrip2011#5623331966869821282

Yosemite Fire Update #4
The Bald fire was reported on June 24, 2011, by the Yosemite Helitack, and Stanislaus National Forest’s Pilot and Smith Peak fire look-outs. It is suspected this is a lightning caused fire holdover, from the June 5, 2011 thunderstorms.

Bald Fire: (37 50.823x119 47.434, approximate el. 6,200’, Tuolumne Co.) Firefighters have lined 95% percent of the perimeter. The predicted cold front arrived on Tuesday with associated winds, but the hard work in the last two days, ahead of the storm, held the fire to 210 acres. It has been raining overnight, and Crane Flat Helibase has received approximately 1.89 inches of rain. Mop-up has begun and full containment is expected later today and full control later this week. The fire is in wilderness, but is within a zone where fires are put out due to threats to property, structures and other infrastructures. The fire is approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the community of Aspen Valley. Yosemite Firefighters are being assisted with “Hot Shot” crews from the Sequoia, Los Padres and Stanislaus National Forests and Sequoia National Park. Two Hot Shot crews and one Yosemite crew will be released today. The Sierra NF Helicopter 520 was released the evening of June 28.

The Cottonwood/Ackerson Trailheads, access to Aspen Valley, remain closed to hikers and pack stock. Fire and Wilderness managers will determine today when to reopen the trail.

Cottonwood Fire: (37.9043x119.8024, 5,000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire was found on June 6, 2011, after a thunderstorm of June 5. A decision was made to put the fire out on June 23, 2011. The fire is in patrol status, and will monitored on a regular basis.

Smoke from the Bald Fire is visible from the Tioga Rd., west of White Wolf, and along the Evergreen Rd., near Ackerson Meadow, and in some locations along Highway 120 into the park from Buck Meadows. It is dispersing toward the northeast from the Bald Fire. This fire is remote will pose no health or driving hazards from smoke.

The Bald fire was reported on June 24, 2011, by the Yosemite Helitack, and Stanislaus National Forest’s Pilot and Smith Peak fire look-outs. It is suspected this is a lightning caused fire holdover, from the June 5, 2011 thunderstorms.

Bald: (37 50.823x119 47.434, approximate el. 6,200’, Tuolumne Co.). The fire was declared contained at 2 PM, June 29. Firefighters will continue to mop-up and “cold-trail” the fire before full control is declared. Rain and snow fell onto the fire perimeter during the night and most of the day on June 29: the fire area has received over 2.5 inches of precipitation. The fire is in wilderness, but is within a zone where fires are put out due to threats to property, structures and other infrastructures. The fire is approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the community of Aspen Valley. Yosemite Firefighters were being assisted with “Hot Shot” crews from the Sequoia, Los Padres and Stanislaus National Forests and Sequoia National Park. Fire forces have been reduced and more resources will be released in the next few days. Many fires have occurred in this area over the years due to lightning; the largest being the 1996 Ackerson Fire. That fire burned over 60 thousand acres in the Park. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) continue to be utilized by firefighters to minimize impacts to wilderness: for example, utilizing natural fires breaks of rock areas rather than cut hand line. The Cottonwood/Ackerson Trailheads, access to Aspen Valley, remain closed to hikers and pack stock. Fire and Wilderness managers will determine today when to reopen the trail.

Cottonwood: (37.9043x119.8024, 5,000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire was found on June 6, 2011, after a thunderstorm of June 5. The fire is in patrol status, and will be monitored on a regular basis.

Light Smoke from the Bald Fire may continue to be observed from the Tioga Rd., west of White Wolf, and along the Evergreen Rd., near Ackerson Meadow, and in locations along Highway 120 into the park from Buck Meadows and Groveland. This fire is remote and has not posed health or driving hazards from smoke.

Hodgdon Prescribed Fire: This collaborative prescribed fire project, with the Stanislaus National Forest, is scheduled for July 6 or after. Fire crews are in the area of Evergreen Rd and Highway 120, preparing the area for the 400 acre project.

For additional Information: If you would like to be included on the fire interest email list, please contact Gary Wuchner at the following numbers or email address. Yosemite Fire Information and Education Office: Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov - (209) 375-9574 or 372-0480. Yosemite Fire Management Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.