Yosemite National Park Monday, September 18th, 2017

Daily Report – Yosemite National Park

Monday, September 18th, 2017

Today: Sunny, breezy. Highs 70 to 75 at 5000 feet…58 to 64 at 8000 feet.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Windy. Lows 44 to 52 at 5000 feet… 36 to 42 at 8000 feet.
Tomorrow: Sunny. Highs 67 to 72 at 5000 feet…57 to 63 at 8000 feet.

Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:

=======================================================

NEW AND HAPPENING

The Glacier Point Road is now open.

Firefighters are still doing some backfiring operations near the Ostrander trail and monitoring the fire activity near Mono Meadow Trailhead through today.

Starting Wednesday next week, the road will be open with traffic control as firefighters continue backfiring operations along the roadway, pending weather conditions.

______________________

Power Outage This Week

PG&E is scheduling a power outage beginning Monday September 18 through Friday, September 22nd. (Possibly adding dates 9/17 and 9/23)

Arch Rock and El Portal will not be affected by this outage.

Glacier Point, Wawona Tunnel and Yosemite Valley will be provided with electrical generation during this time, but expect to have some delays, power bumps and/or minimal outages.

Big Oak Flat Tunnels will not have back up generation during this outage.

NPS High Voltage is working directly with PG&E to minimize impacts to Yosemite. (K. Bablitch)

______________________

Yosemite Forum today, September 18

“A snow hydrologist’s apology: Demystifying Sierra snow and ice with the NASA Airborne Snow Observatory”

by Dr. Thomas Painter, NASA

The NASA Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) has revolutionized how we characterize Sierra Nevada snowpack and mountain glaciers, in a way sadly laying waste to our mythical understandings of this most critical resource and landscape. Prior to the ASO, we largely understood snowpack and glacier dynamics from what we could see or measure on skis or foot, with the federal sampler, a depth probe, a GPS unit, a tape measure, wood stakes, a stone, horse-hair, and a load of Scottish chutzpah. Now, putting assumptions behind us that have led to unverifiable myths, the ASO allows us to finally quantify Yosemite’s snow water equivalent, snow reflectivity, snow grain size, dust and black carbon enhancement of sunlight absorption, glacier volume changes, snow algae concentrations, periglacial forms, ecosystem function, and controls on snow versus glacier melt contributions to runoff. My sincerest apologies … look away if you want to keep the mystery!

The Forum will take place today, September 18, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium. Please contact Greg Stock at 379-1420 for additional information.

____________________

Fire Update September 16th, 2017

There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park’s wilderness. Weather has moderated with lower temperatures and higher relative humidities.

Empire
Discovered: 8/1/17
Location: 1 mile east of Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area and 3/4 mile south of Glacier Point Road
Size: 6,256 acres Cause: Lightning Containment: 55% Fuels: Red fir
Fire activity was minimal yesterday due to increased relative humidity and precipitation from the last couple days. Conditions were favorable for fire crews to continue burn operations along Glacier Point road. Glacier Point Road will open Saturday Sept. 16 at 0800. Smoky conditions may exist along portions and delays may exist.

South Fork
Discovered: 8/13/17
Location: .75 miles east of the community of Wawona
Size: 6,840 acres Cause: Lightning Containment: 47% Fuels: Mixed conifer and red fir

Fire remains quiet near the community of Wawona on the west and south flank of the fire. Sections of the north flank and the entire east flank are continuing to burn in the wilderness

Le Conte
Discovered: 9/12/17
Location: North Side of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Size: 1/2 acre Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low Fuels: Sparse ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
Showing no smoke.

Porcupine Campground
Discovered: 9/12/17
Location: Right on Porcupine creek
Size: 1/10 acre Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
Single green tree burning at the base with 10×10 ground fire with continuous wet fuels.

Morrison
Discovered: 9/12/17
Location: N 37° 52.707′ x W 119° 36.854′ elevation of 8,535 ‘
Size: 1/10 acre Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
Lightning struck green tree with fire in the top and 10×10 ground fire at the base.

Wolf
Discovered: 9/12/17
Location: N 37° 52.597′ x W 119° 36.552′ elevation of 8,469 ‘
Size: 1/10 acre Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low Fuels: Ground fuels

Strategy: Monitor
Green tree that was blown apart by lightning strike and burning at the base.

Hidden
Discovered: 9/12/17
Location: N 37° 48.318′ x W 119° 29.607′ elevation of 8,564 ‘
Size: 1/10 acre Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
On the southwest ridge 100 yards from Hidden Lake burning in duff and down logs. Fire activity was creeping and smoldering at the top of the slope. Fire crews will continue to check on it.

Illilouette Creek
Discovered: 9/12/17
Location: N 37° 40.391′ x W 119° 32.505′ elevation of 7,570′
Size: 1/10 acre Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low Fuels: Ground fuels
Strategy: Monitor
On north aspect of the ridge in a lightning struck snag with some ground fuel on fire. Empire fire operations will monitor this fire.

Starr King
Discovered: 8/2/17
Location: N 37° 42.965′ x W 119° 29.588′ at approximately 7800 feet elevation
Size: 60 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low/ Moderate
Fuels: Red fir/ Lodgepole Strategy: Monitor
Minimal smoke can be seen, with some pockets of light smoke interior of the perimeter.

Indian Rock
Discovered: 9/15/17
Location: Fire is ½ mile south of Porcupine Flat Campground Road.
Size: 5’x10’ Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low

Fuels: Brush and down timber

Yosemite Creek

Discovered: 8/3/17
Location: N 37° 50.414′ x W 119° 38.088′ at approximately 7,970 feet elevation
Size: 3.4 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Red fir Strategy: Monitor
Fire is creeping and smoldering and will continue to be checked by fire crews.

Porcupine
Discovered: 8/2/17
Location: N 37° 49.336′ x W 119° 34.720′ at approximately 8154 feet elevation off Tioga road.
Size: 4.8 acres Cause: Lightning Spread Potential: Low
Fuels: Lodgepole/Red fir Strategy: Monitor
Fires edge is 30 feet from the Tioga road and is creeping and smoldering and to be checked by fire crews.

No new maps today

=======================================================

RECENT NEWS

Mariposa County to Offer No-Cost Flu Shots

The Mariposa County Health Department will be offering flu shots – at no cost – at the following locations:

September 19 (Tuesday)

– 2:00pm – 3:00pm – Mariposa Senior Center (for Seniors and Care Givers)

September 20 (Wednesday)

– 10:00am – 11:00am – Yosemite Wellness Center

– 12:00pm – 1:00 pm – Yosemite Medical Clinic

– 3:00pm – 4:30pm – El Portal – Cedar Lodge

September 21 (Thursday)

– 10:00am – 11:30am – Greeley Hill Community Center

– 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Coulterville Schoolhouse

September 26 (Tuesday)

– 10:00am – 11:30am – Wawona Library

– 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Fish Camp Fire Station

September 27 (Wednesday)

– 3:00pm – 6:00pm – Mariposa Fairgrounds

September 28 (Thursday)

– 9:00am – 10:30am – Mariposa Human Services Building

– 11:30am – 1:00pm – Mariposa Heritage House (C.Griffin)

______________________

Housing Available

A 2 bedroom/1 bath house is available for the next six months adjacent to Lushmeadows off of Triangle Road in Mariposa. The house is fully furnished, or you can bring your own stuff. Has full kitchen, washer/dryer, pond, views, outdoor shower, garden space, etc. Asking $1,200 per month, with deposit. For more information call 209-742-6320. (J. McCamman)

2,400 sq ft, 4 bd, 3 bath, 3 car garage on 3 acres in Lush Meadows. Newer home comes furnished with Cal- King master suite set, jetted roman tub, walk in shower, walk in closets, office with desk and work space, kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, great room entertainment center and more. Central HVAC, automated lawn sprinklers, fountain, onsite storage shed, back patio with great view of mountain. Non-smoking, $2,200/month.

Call 559-760-0820 or email basslakemgr@sti.net for more info and appointment to view. (K. Savage)

______________________

Fire Suppression System Inspection September 11-19

Attention Yosemite Employees and Residents,

The annual fire suppression system inspection and test will be taking place September 9th-20th.

Contractors, escorted by NPS staff, will be entering all buildings and homes. Please see the schedule below for more information.

Monday September 18th

– Team #1 MaQ2000 (Rangers Station) MaQ6000, MaQ6115 MaQ6116, MaQ6117 MaQ6118, MaQ6160 (Residences)

Tuesday September 19th

– Team #1 Any areas in the Park that need to be revisited to complete. (S. Kincaid)

=======================================================

CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS

Big Oak Flat Construction

Road crews will be working from the long tunnel on BOF /HWY 120 working West starting Wednesday September 20th, expect short delays and please drive slow in the work zone, watching for workers, equipment and debris on the road.

______________________

Glacier Point Road Closure – Empire Fire

The Glacier Point Road will remain closed to the public this week as fire crews conduct backfiring operations along the roadway between Ostrander Lake and Mono Meadow Trailheads. Depending on how these operations go, crews will re-assess conditions on Friday and make further determinations on the road closure at that time. The road is still open to Admin Traffic Only. (E. Scott)

______________________

Tenaya Road Closure September 13-23

Tenaya road will be closed between the Valley Fort and the Courthouse from 9/13/17 through 9/23/17. This is for generator staging for the upcoming valley power outage in Yosemite Valley. Courthouse access will not be affected. (J. Brown)

______________________

Yosemite Valley Parking and Road Construction Update

A new phase of parking and road construction in Yosemite Valley will be starting on Monday, September 18th. The biggest project will be reconstruction of the Camp 4 parking area. The parking area will close on Monday, September 18th and campers will park across the street at the Yosemite Falls parking area. Northside Drive between the Yosemite Falls crossing and Camp 4 will narrow to one westbound lane. Eastbound traffic will travel through Yosemite Lodge. The contractors hope to complete this work by Thanksgiving if the weather is good. If not, the parking area and roads will be open for the holidays.

In addition, new construction will begin on Tuesday, September 19th at the four-way intersection at Half Dome Village near Stoneman Bridge. Flaggers will route traffic headed to Half Dome Village in a one-way clockwise loop going eastbound on the Happy Isle Loop Rd then coming back northbound on Curry Village Dr. This work should take about two weeks.

Work on Northside Drive east of Pohono Bridge is almost complete. Contractors will work on utility vaults in Northside Drive for one week starting Monday, September 18th. This work will take place during the day with one lane open. There will be maximum 30-minute delays.

Lastly, night work will continue at “the Narrows” through September (same schedule as earlier in the month) and work on the pedestrian pathway from the Yosemite Village parking area to Yosemite Village will continue through Monday, September 18th. Thank you for your patience. (L. Acree)

=======================================================