Yosemite Fires – July 11, 2008 – Update #2
On July 8th, 2008, Yosemite National Park experienced an afternoon thunderstorm, a common occurrence for the Sierra Nevada Range. Another fire was found yesterday afternoon, which brings the total to six fires found since Tuesday’s storm.
Fire is a natural ecological process in Yosemite and each year lightning strikes result in wildland fires that help shape Yosemite’s wilderness. The current wilderness fires are smoldering and burning in a designated zone for Fire Use for Resource Benefit. Naturally occurring fires in these areas are normally managed to allow the fire to clean and shape the forest and its natural landscape. Dead and down trees and other forest litter are burned, opening forest canopy’s which allows sunlight through. This allows for sprouting and regrowth of plants, shrubs and trees. Fire allows for the recycling of nutrients into the soil. This naturally thinning process also helps prevents large stand (tree) replacement crown fires. All of these fires are burning in pervious Fire Use areas. The fire mosaics, irregular burn patterns from the previous fires, have slowed the spread and progress of these fires. This is a desired effect and another reason for managed natural fires.
However, this is an unusual and early fire year. Due to the amount of fires burning throughout the state of California, diminished air quality in the region and sparse firefighting resources, park fire managers have made the decision to suppress; to put these fires out.
Hill (7825’) - This lightning caused fire was found at 12:30 on Thursday, July 10. It is S/E of Boundary Peak and west of Yosemite Creek in Mariposa Co. Smoke was seen easily from the Glacier Point area yesterday afternoon. This fire is being suppressed with 35 firefighters on scene. Seventeen acres have burned, and this fire is expected to be contained by 6:00 pm today.
Mt Star King (8500’) – This fire is located near the top of Mt Star King and at the edge of the ’91 Illilouette fire, south of Glacier and Washburn points and in Mariposa Co. This fire is out and in helicopter patrol status. It was held to 1/8 acre.
Pack, Fork and Clark (7000’) – These three single tree strike fires are located near the confluence of the Clark and Illilouette Creeks, in Mariposa Co. A total of ½ acre was burned. It is out, and in helicopter patrol status.
Cascade (7600’) – This fire is east of the Tioga Rd and near the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, near the top of the Cascade Creek watershed. It is in Mariposa Co and ½ mi south of Tuolumne Co. It is out, in helicopter patrol status, and with a total of 1ac burned.
The Yosemite fire crews are being augmented by fire line qualified Park protection rangers, a medium helicopter, and hand crew from the Sierra National Forest, and engine crew from the Stanislaus National Forest.
The weather predictions indicate continued high temperatures and potential afternoon thunderstorms throughout the weekend. It is possible that more lightning caused fires could occur throughout the region. The smoke haze visible within the Park today is a regional issue associated with all the fires burning throughout the State. The air quality in Yosemite Valley is in the un-healthy range (orange), for at risk groups.
Additional Information: The park website,
http://www.nps.gov/yose/ fire has information about fire activity and smoke effects in Yosemite. The fire information and education office phone number is; 209 372-0489.
