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Daily Report – Yosemite National Park
Monday, August 28th, 2017
Today: Sunny. Areas of smoke in the morning. Highs 86 to 96 at 5000 feet…72 to 82 at 8000 feet.
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Areas of smoke after midnight. Lows 59 to 69 at 5000 feet…47 to 57 at 8000 feet.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke in the morning. Near the crest, slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 85 to 95 at 5000 feet…71 to 81 at 8000 feet.
Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:
Yosemite Valley | Wawona | Tuolumne Meadows | Glacier Point | Big Oak Flat | Hetch Hetchy | El Portal | Mariposa | Badger Pass
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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY
Pre-Bid Site Walk at Valley District/Museum Building Today
On Monday, August 28th, there will be a Pre-Bid Site Walk, from around 3 pm – 4 pm, at the Valley District/Museum Building for potential contractors on the Rehabilitation of Electrical System at the Valley District/Museum Building Project. The potential bidders will be escorted by D&E staff, and the disruption of operations should be minimal. If you have any questions, please contact Kerstin Henry at 379-1068. (K. Henry)
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Fire Update August 27th, 2017
South Fork
Discovered: 8/13/17 Location: N 37°32 ’15” x W 119° 35’54”
Size: 4,430 acres Cause: Unknown
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/White Fir Strategy: Suppression County: Mariposa
The fire is burning in the wilderness but is being managed for protection objectives due to its close proximity to the community of Wawona. Crews will continue to mop up (extinguish hot spots on the fire’s edge) and monitor the perimeter of the fire. Aircraft will assist in securing the line as needed. Fire is burning in dense mixed conifer forest with areas of heavy tree mortality. Smoke is expected to be heavy in the area and adjacent communities. Multiple trail closures exist around the fire perimeter and are signed with the exact location.
Empire
Discovered: 8/1/17 Location: N 37° 38.673′ x W 119° 37.096′ at roughly 7300 feet elevation
Size: 2,300 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Moderate
Fuels: Red fir Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
The Empire Fire is burning in wilderness and poses no current threat to park infrastructure. It was reported on the night of July 31st. This fire is being managed to meet both protection and resource management objectives as allowed in Yosemite’s Fire Management Plan. It is approximately 1 mile south of Bridalveil Campground and between Alder Creek drainage and Bridalveil Creek drainage. Fire crews are managing growth, fire behavior, and smoke dispersion. The fire is burning in heavy pockets of dead and down timber which reduces fuels buildup and increases forest resiliency.
Trails are closed from Bridalveil Creek Campground to the second junction with the Ostrander trail and from Westfall Meadow to the Deer Camp junction, along Alder Creek. Bridalveil Campground is closed down that this time.
Starr King
Discovered: 8/2/17 Location: N 37° 42.965′ x W 119° 29.588′ at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 27.5 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
Activity has picked up and smoke will be visible from Glacier Point, Washburn Point, and Sentinel Dome.
Yosemite Creek
Discovered: 8/3/17 Location: N 37° 50.414′ x W 119° 38.088′ at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
Size: .75 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Red fir Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
Porcupine
Discovered: 8/2/17 Location: N 37° 49.336′ x W 119° 34.720′ at approximately 8154 feet elevation off Tioga road near Yosemite Creek Campground road
Size: 1.91 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir Strategy: Monitor County: Mariposa
Activity has picked up and smoke will be seen in the area.
Here are the most current Central Sierra Smoke/AQ Outlooks:
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Wildlife Data Steward Intern Position Open On Volunteer.gov
The Terrestrial Biodiversity Program is hiring an intern to improve data stewardship in support of ongoing acoustic bat research in Yosemite.
To see the posting and apply visit https://www.volunteer.gov/results.cfm?ID=16921 *Please note, if you are an employee in the wildlife division, you are not eligible for this volunteer position.
If interested, please apply at the link above, and send a resume and statement of interest (300 words or fewer) to Breezy Jackson (breezy_jackson@nps.gov) by September 1st, 2017. (J. Oleksiak)
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2017-2018 Mentor Program Orientation September 6
Do you have a skill you’d like to develop with the help of a mentor? The Yosemite Mentoring Program provides this opportunity through a structured and facilitated mentoring relationship. This program is entering its fifth year of helping people to build their skills and make meaningful connections. Applications are now being accepted from potential mentees until September 22nd.
Mentees will attend monthly professional development sessions from October 2017 through summer 2018. The first few sessions will provide guidance on how to select a mentor and on establishing goals to accomplish during the program.
To learn more, come to the following information session:
Wednesday, September 6th, 10:00-11:00am, El Portal Large Breakroom
Forms and program information, including the schedule of monthly sessions, are available on the Yosemite Mentor Program Sharepoint site at http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/Supt/mentor/SitePages/Home.aspx. (J. Gallegos)
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Stagecoach Rides Have Resumed Operation
The interpretive Horse-Drawn Wagon Stage Rides in the Pioneer Yosemite History Center resumed operation Friday, August 25, 2017. (D. Shenk)
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Room(s) for Rent
1-2 rooms for rent in a beautiful, large 4+ bed/2.5 bath home, nestled in the hills off the 140, on the border of Mariposa and Midpines. Home is on 5 quiet acres, surrounded by great views which you can see from both bedroom windows. $550/month per room, plus a portion of utilities. Discount for both rooms. Email synchronicity.support@gmail.com if you’re interested. (K. Indigo)
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Seeking Housemate in Midpines
Spacious 2000 sq. ft. Midpines home has 1 bedroom available. Large open living room, dining room, & kitchen. Two refrigerators, dishwasher, oven, microwave, dining room table set & a few pieces of furniture provided. Electric HVAC, plus wood burning stove & swamp cooler. Shared separate laundry room with washer and dryer. Huge deck on 2 sides of the house with views of distant hills. Sits on 7+ acres of beautiful rolling hills and trees just off Colorado Road and East Whitlock, 15 min. from Mariposa. $400/month plus electric & WiFi. No smokers. Credit check. Email hodges.marcia@gmail.com or call 510-207-5951. (M. Hodges)
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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
Wawona Road Delays–Update 8-21-17
Around Bridalveil & Wawona Tunnel: Crews will continue working between Southside Drive & the Rostrum: Crews will be paving between Wawona Tunnel and the Rostrum Tuesday, August 22nd, 7AM to 5PM and between Southside Drive and the Wawona Tunnel Wednesday, August 23rd, 7AM to 5PM with single lane traffic control and up to 15 minute delays.
Between Mosquito Creek and the Grape Vine: Crews will be working nights, August 20th thru 25th repairing the fill slope failure approximately 2-miles north of the Wawona Campground with single lane traffic control and up to 15-minute delays between 8PM and 11PM and up to 30-minute delays between 11PM to 6AM.
Around South Entrance: August 21st thru August 26th there will be 30-minute delays with single lane traffic control 6AM to 8PM as paving operations begin, so there will be extensive truck traffic around South Entrance as crews begin paving the parking lots. The following weeks of August 28th and September 5th the 30-minute delays will continue as crews continue paving operations and preparation for paving on Wawona Road and Mariposa Grove Road.
Big Oak Flat Road Delays: Crews will be working nights, August 20th thru the 23rd repairing the cut slope and repairing the ditch approximately 2-miles north of the Foresta Road intersection with single lane traffic control and up to 15-minute delays between 8PM and 11PM and up to 30-minute delays between 11PM and 6AM.
El Portal Road Delays: Crews will be working nights, August 23rd thru the 25th to begin repairing the El Portal Road, the adjacent cut slope and ditch which is located approximately 0.5 miles east of the western Park boundary. The delays are anticipated to be 15-minutes between 8PM and 11PM and up to 30-minute delays between 11PM to 6AM. (M. Pieper)
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The Narrows
Nighttime road work at “the Narrows” will continue through August from Sunday through Thursday from 8pm to 8am with the following delays:
8pm to 10pm – delays limited to 5 minutes
10pm to 6am – delays limited to 30 minutes
6am to 8am – delays limited to 5 minutes (L. Acree)