Re: Foresta Area Prescribed Fire Notification

Foresta Area Prescribed Fire Notification - June 4, 2008

The National Park Service plans to conduct a prescribed fire in the Foresta area in Yosemite National Park from June 4, 2008 through June 6, 2008, weather and air quality conditions permitting. This project is approximately 75 acres and is located southwest of Foresta, along the park’s boundary with the Stanislaus National Forest. The project is expected to last about 3 days, with additional mop-up and monitoring happening through the weekend.

A specific goal of this project is to provide community protection to Foresta by reducing unnatural fuel loads. This project is strategically located adjacent to homes in the community, which provides protection from fire originating in the Merced River canyon. The intended burn units are comprised primarily of ponderosa pine, meadow, and manzanita. The Foresta area burned during the 1990 A-Rock fire, with 45 structures lost. There are 173 structures in the Foresta area.

Minimal smoke impacts are possible in the Foresta, with some additional impacts possible in El Portal during morning hours. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts. People with respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.

A public meeting was held Monday, June 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm at the fire house in Foresta to address community concerns and answer questions. Additionally, those wishing to preview the proposed burn area are invited to attend a walk through Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Walk through participants should meet staff at the fire house at 10:30am.

You will see hand crews, engines, helicopters, extra water storage tanks and heavy equipment along roads and on the burn perimeter through the weekend. Even after the burn is complete, we'll keep people and equipment in the area to make sure it is safe. Please be cautious and drive with extra care in the area.

For further information about this or other prescribed burn projects in Yosemite National Park please contact Yosemite’s Fire Information Office at 209 372-0480. Additional updates about the proposed burn will be available at http://www.inciweb.org or on the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

Yosemite fire staff burned approximately 36 acres adjacent to Foresta between June 5 and June 8, 2008. Changing weather conditions and heavy fuels close to the community limited progress over the weekend. However, fire managers hope to continue the burn this week, conditions permitting.

Smoke was also observed near the Alder Creek Trail from the Wawona NW Prescribed Burn. This prescribed burn was completed in April, but some logs continue to smolder in the interior of the burn. Fire staff are continuing to monitor the area.