Re: Fire update

Note: for the current fire, go to http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?f=1&i=5203&t=5203

The Gin Flat Prescribed Fire was ignited on Thursday, Oct. 3

The safety message continues! Please advise and caution all park visitors and employees to slow down and travel slowly on the Tioga Road. Smoke between Crane Flat and White Wolf Lodge has, at times, reduced visibility. It has hampered the ability of motorist to see clearly emergency crews and vehicles on the highway. Please pay close regard to traffic control personnel and their instructions. Emphasize to travelers to not stop along the road to observe fire activity. Occasional and brief Tioga Road shutdowns have occurred during fire operations.

The acres burned have increased to 967, based on a GPS mapping flight. Fire operations have ignited 240 acres by hand along the Tioga Road. The acreage increase is attributed to warmer, drier conditions, steeper slopes and other terrain features. This is in addition to the 76-acre prescribed fire adjacent to the Yosemite Institute and the 42-acre burn conducted in Yosemite Valley completed last week.

Approximately 450 to 500 visitor contacts were made over the weekend. Four information locations were staffed periodically by the fire information officer, park interpretive staff and occasionally firefighters. The key messages were driver safety through the Tioga Road burn area, the differences of prescribed, managed and suppression fires, and Yosemite fire history. Four information boards were placed at Crane Flat service station, Toulumne Grove parking lot, Gin Flat turn out and the "Wolf Fire" turnout. These will remain and be updated as necessary for the duration of the Gin Flat Prescribed Fire.

Cooperators on the Gin Flat fire involve a number of resources. They include the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests, Orange County Fire Authority, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Colorado Alpine Hot Shots, Point Reyes Fuels Crew and various Yosemite crews and staff.

The smoke generated from this fire is affecting air quality in the San Joaquin Valley. The State Resources Board has requested we hold burning for the next two days. The burn management team and Park Administration will respect that request and burning operations will cease until atmospheric air quality conditions are conducive to further burning. Fire staffing at the fire will continue during this non-burning period.

The trail between Lukens Lake and Harden Lake remains closed due to the presence of many fire-weakened trees, which could fall without notice. Hikers in the White Wolf area can still reach Harden Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne by way of the Harden Lake Road. Dangerous snags have been removed from the roadside, however visitors should exercise caution and move through the fire area quickly.

Wildland Fire Use Status

Almost three months ago, in July, lightning storms started several fires within Yosemite National Park. Fire is a natural ecological process that plays an important role in shaping and restoring the park's ecosystem. All human-caused fires in Yosemite National Park are suppressed. However, when lightning-ignited fires occur, managers assess them carefully and make a decision about whether to suppress the fires, or to manage them for resource benefits. Wildland fires managed for resource benefits are monitored daily or less frequently, depending on fire size and location. The following fires are still active in Yosemite�s high country, however recent weather has significantly reduced activity:

-- The Wolf Fire is estimated to be 1450 acres in size and is located north and west of the White Wolf developed area. The White Wolf Lodge and Campground are closed for the season. The fire is burning in red fir and lodgepole pine surface fuels with very little activity at the present. Occasional smoke is visible from the Tioga Road near Siesta Lake; a popular roadside fire information board gives visitors interpretive information about the wildland fire use incidents in the area. The fire is also visible along the White Wolf Road and Harden Lake Roads.

-- The Lukens Fire is located between Tioga Road and Lukens Lake, about three miles east of White Wolf. The fire is 42 acres in size and has burned through red fir and lodgepole pine into rocky terrain.

-- The Morrison Fire is located 2.5 miles northeast of White Wolf on the north side of Morrison Creek. The fire is 60 acres in size and is showing very little activity.

-- The Ranch Fire is located north of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on Rancheria Mountain. This fire is 62 acres in size, burning in lodgepole pine and red fir. This fire is also showing little activity.

-- The Wilmer Fire is located 1.5 miles east of Wilmer Lake. The fire is 15 acres in size, and the last reported fire activity was low.

-- The Virginia Fire is located 2 miles west of McCabe Lake, just east of the Virginia Canyon Trail. The fire is 8 acres in size and is burning in red fir and lodgepole pine with low fire activity.

-- The Ottoway Fire is located below the Buena Vista Crest near the Merced Pass Trail. The fire is 32 acres in size and is burning in lodgepole pine duff and litter. Fire activity is very low.

For further information on wildland fire use and prescribed fires in the park, please contact the Prescribed Fire Office at (209) 375-9574 or 9572. (M.Beasley)

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