The fire activity within Yosemite has been greatly reduced by the weekend's rain and snow. Yosemite received varying amounts of precipitation since last Friday (.5 to 1.2 inches ). Some fires may have been put out, i.e. the Mono. Fire Managers, took advantage of the weather and pulled the fire crews off the inactive fires and returned to "pile" burring. (Wawona Rd. and Golf course area, Wawona SDA Camp, El Portal, Foresta, and Crane Flat.. The fire crews put a big dent in the backlog of standing piles, as a few hundred were burned. . Recon flights by Helicopter 551 found limited fire activity on all existing fires, and one additional new fire near Indian Creek; Lehemite (see Fire Update #9).
Smoke dispersal conditions are forecasted to remain favorable for the next 7-10 days,. Due to good air quality and adequate resources, Fire Managers are considering prescribed fire burning near the communities of Wawona and El Portal. The "Soupbowl" (60 acres), the completion of Wawona Northwest (400), or 55 acres in Old El Portal are potential projects. More information will follow prior to these projects.
Finally, thanks to all homeowners, in all communities of the Park, to make your home fire safe, by your efforts to clean your properties of needle and other down and dead vegetation. The wood debris pile, in Wawona, has been filling and fire crews began burning that pile today. Smoke will be visible.
Yosemite Fires – Update #9 – June 8, 2009
Yosemite National Park continues to experience thunderstorms, rain and some snow which has slowed fire growth greatly. One new fire was detected over the weekend. No closures are associated with these fires, and smoke production has been minimal. All of these fires are within the Park Boundary.
The protection of human life and property is the top priority for Yosemite’s fire management staff, as well as the preservation of natural and cultural resources, and the preservation and restoration of fire-dependent ecosystems. Each fire is managed individually to achieve one or more objectives in the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Strategies employed to meet these objectives may include full suppression, containment line building, use of natural barriers, monitoring, and other management techniques or combination of techniques.
Wilderness Fire Zone:Lehamite (37 47.385x119.34.212); 7400’, in Mariposa Co). New fire detected June 7. It is .10 ac, smoldering in ground litter, ½ mile northeast of the Indian fire. A single tree was hit by lightning, most likely 5/30. It has low potential for growth.
Grouse Creek (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.) This is an important fire for forest restoration, and will be managed for multiple objectives. The fire began May 30, and is burning in brush, and down logs, on a southwest aspect. It has grown to approximately 30ac, but activity has slowed considerably. It is within the 1990 “Steamboat” fire perimeter, and it is east of the Wawona Rd (Hwy 41). Smoke may be visible from many locations in the Park.
Indian Creek (.1 ac, 37 46.449x119 35.150; 7400’, Mariposa Co) Started May 30. It is burning approximately one mile north of the rim of the Valley, in needle litter and down trees. Multiple fires have burned in this area since the 1970s. It has low to moderate potential for spread. It is being monitored by air and ground resources. Occasional smoke is visible.
Smith (37 55.142x119 45.428, 6400’, Tuolumne Co) Started May 30. It is burning within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter; approximately 2 miles northeast of the Cottonwood fire (05.18.09 start). It has shown minimal growth, remains at .25 ac, and no smoke is visible. It is being monitored by air resources.
Dark Hole Fire (37 50.721 X 119 36.633, Mariposa Co), started May 26. This 10’x10’ lightning-caused fire is located near the Yosemite Creek Campground access road. This fire is smoldering in red fir and lodgepole pine litter and duff. No smoke was visible over the weekend.
Pit Fire (37 48.063 X 119 31.201, Mariposa Co), started May 26. This lightning-caused fire is about 1/10th of an acre and is located near the Snow Creek trail. This fire has shown minimal activity, and is being monitored by air and ground resources.
Mono (37°40’ 24.24” 119°45’ 19.45”, Mariposa Co), started May 18. No visible fire activity.
Suppression Zone:Cottonwood (37°54’13.68” 119°47’41.64”, Tuolumne Co), started May 18. As of May 27, 2009 the Cottonwood Fire is controlled at 96 acres. This fire continues to be patrolled, and minimal smoke remains visible within the perimeter.
Park staff will monitor smoke on a consistent basis. However, smoky conditions may exist within the park. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts to health. People with respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.
For Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire; Fire information: 209/372-0480; or email at:
yose_fire_information@nps.gov.