Yosemite Fires - Update #26

The three most active lightning ignited fires have experienced slow to moderate growth over the last few days. All fires are being monitored, patrolled or are staffed. Warmer weather has settled into the region, with smoke becoming more visible. A cool weather front, with precipitation, is predicted for the end of the week and into the next.

Wilderness Fire Unit:

• New Fire: Frog (38 02.3 X 119 45.7; 7,000’ el., Tuolumne Co., 9/27). This lightning caused ignition was spotted by Pilot Peak Fire Lookout on September 25. Yosemite Crew 9 hiked into the area Monday and confirmed the fire. It is at 1.3 acres, with 70% of the perimeter active and burning in red fir timber and brush. It is on a southwest slope and northwest aspect. It has moderate potential to become larger.
• Smith (37 55.249 x 119 45.945; 6,300” el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14) It is at approximately 23 acres. It is smoldering in down and dead logs and duff. Light smoke is visible in the afternoons. Crews are on scene and the fire remains within the wilderness boundary. All trails through this area are closed: Cottonwood Creek, Smith Meadow, Smith Peak, and the Aspen Valley trails.
• Tamarack (37 45.982 x 119 44.436; 7,700’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13). Over 168 acres have burned and the fire perimeter is 75% active, with 1’ to 2’ flame lengths, burning in red fir, duff, brush and forest litter. It is approximately 1 mile northeast of Tamarack campground, and near the footprint of the 1988 Walker fire. The fire is moving toward the north/northwest and is within .2 of a mile of the Tioga Rd. The fire is now on both sides of the Tamarack Creek. Fire crews are removing brush along the Tioga Road and are poised to black line (fire or burning out excess fuels) along the road if needed for visitor and firefighter safety. Drivers are urged to use caution, and adhere to posted 25 mph speed limits and traffic officer instructions when driving in the area of Gin Flat. The Tamarack Creek trail though the fire area is closed. Smoke is visible from many locations throughout the park, including the Tioga and Wawona Roads, Olmsted and Glacier Points and Sentinel Dome. Due to smoke impacts to campers, the Tamarack Campground is closed.
• Cascade (37 45.879 x 119 41.846; 7,700’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/12). It remains less than 1 acre.
• The other 14 lightning caused ignition fires are either out or are not active. Other fires may continue to be found during predicted drier weather this next week.

Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire: Fire managers are planning to begin this project Friday September 30. This proposed project is mostly in Wilderness and the primary objective is Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) protection. The project will buffer the communities of Yosemite West, Wawona, Glacier Point Historic District and El Portal, from unwanted wildfire by reducing an over accumulation of fuels. The project is 5,224 acres and is broken into five segments. It will build off the recent 1,068 acre Avalanche fire, other prescribed fires and mechanical thinning treatments in Yosemite’s Suppression and Wilderness Fire Management Units. This project is another step in restoring fire dependent forest ecosystems in Yosemite’s lower mixed conifer pine forest.

Yosemite Fires - Update #26 – September 29, 2011

The three most active lightning ignited fires have experienced slow to moderate growth over the last few days. All fires are being monitored, patrolled or are staffed. Warmer weather has settled into the region, with smoke becoming more visible. A cool weather front, with precipitation, is predicted for the end of the week and into the next.

Wilderness Fire Unit:

• New Fire: Frog (38 02.3 X 119 45.7; 7,000’ el., Tuolumne Co., 9/27). This lightning caused ignition was spotted by Pilot Peak Fire Lookout on September 25. Yosemite Crew 9 hiked into the area Monday and confirmed the fire. It is at 1.7 acres, now smoldering in red fir timber and brush. Light smoke is visible.
• Smith (37 55.249 x 119 45.945; 6,300” el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14) It remains at approximately 23 acres. It is smoldering in down and dead logs and duff. Light smoke is visible in the afternoons. All trails through this area are closed: Cottonwood Creek, Smith Meadow, Smith Peak, and the Aspen Valley trails.
• Tamarack (37 45.982 x 119 44.436; 7,700’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13). As predicted, the warmer weather increased the fire activity; with 252 acres burned. Short range spotting and runs through vegetation was observed. Seventy-five % of the perimeter is active. The fire has shifted to the east and northeast following the terrain. It remains within .2 of a mile of the Tioga Rd. It is approximately 1 mile northeast of Tamarack campground, and near the footprint of the 1988 Walker fire. Fire crews are removing brush along the Tioga Road and are poised to black line (fire or burning out excess fuels) along the road if needed for visitor and firefighter safety. Drivers are urged to use caution, and adhere to posted 25 mph speed limits and traffic officer instructions when driving in the area of Gin Flat. The Tamarack Creek trail though the fire area is closed. Smoke is visible from many locations throughout the park, including the Tioga and Wawona Roads, Olmsted and Glacier Points and Sentinel Dome. Due to smoke impacts to campers, the Tamarack Campground is closed.
• Hoffman fire: This fire has become more active with 3.6 acres having burned, and 30% of the perimeter is active. It is within 400’ of the Tioga Rd and is visible.

The other 14 lightning caused ignition fires are either out or are not active. Other fires may continue to be found during predicted drier weather this next week.

Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire: This project is planned to begin Friday September 30. The primary objective of this prescribed fire is Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) protection. The project is 5,224 acres and is broken into five segments. The 1400 acre Segment A will be the first portion treated.