Yosemite National Park
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Mostly sunny. Highs 57 to 65 at 5000 feet…45 to 53 at 8000 feet.
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows 40 to 47 at 5000 feet…29 to 37 at 8000 feet.
Tomorrow: Sunny. Not as cool. Highs 61 to 71 at 5000 feet…52 to 62 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
Change in Community Calls Next Week
This Friday will be the last 2 pm community call before switching back to routine communication channels. Updates will continue to be posted to yoscommunity.com, typically on Thursdays.
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Community Updates As Of May 13
The park continues to work with the Yosemite Gateway Area Coordination Team which includes surrounding counties, and is tracking along with the counties and state as far as reopening the park. Tuolumne County has been given permission to enter late stage 2 (2.5). Mariposa County also has requested moving to 2.5; waiting on approval. Park leadership continues to consult with regional and Washington offices and Department of the Interior as well.
The Incident Management Team is focusing on preparing for opening, figuring out which sites will be open and what changes will be necessary, ensuring safe work environments for employees.
YH is awaiting guidance from NPS regarding reopening plans. Reopening plans including safety and cleaning protocols to protection associates, community members, visitors. Park lodging is canceled through May 22 and will extend if necessary.
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Tioga Road Maintenance
Mather road crew will be working on the Tioga Road until further notice clearing culverts and ditches from 7:00 am-4:00 PM. Administrative Access Only – Please drive slowly and watch out for equipment. Expect short delays. (B. Brantley)
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RECENT NEWS
Peace Officers Memorial Day Half-Staff Notification
May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, an annual observance for honoring peace officers across the United States who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code [U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m)] the United States flag is to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Peace Officers Memorial Day. (J. Roubal)
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Wawona Community Pine Needle Pick-Up & Yosemite West Community Chipping
Wawona Pine Needle Pick-Up is still on schedule June 8– June 12. Please have your pile ready by Monday, June 8. Remember, one pile per property along the road in front of your property in an unobstructed area where the equipment can easily access your needle pile. Tree limbs and branches must be cut to a maximum length of 3 feet to be picked up. Only vegetation material will be picked up. No construction materials or large branches.
Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Hospitality, & UC Merced properties are not part of the Special Services District and are not included in the pine needle pick-up.
If your address is on an out-of-the-way street, you can call or e-mail Samuel Creveny at Mariposa County Solid Waste & Recycling, (209)966-5165 screveny@mariposacounty.org
Yosemite West property owners should proceed with normal springtime raking and disposal of pine needles and stacking branches and limbs into flagged chipping piles.
The YWPHI-sponsored free-chipping for all Yosemite West property owners will proceed on Tuesday, May 26, since the chipping crew’s work does not involve any social contact.
See instructions in flyer at: http://yosemitewest.org/2020%20Chipping.pdf including required signup instructions by sending email to grants@yosemitewest.org
If a property owner has a need to access their property themselves for fire hazard/defensible space clearance, they must show proof of ownership and matching identification at the entrance gate. If they need to allow another family member/worker/contractor to access their property to conduct defensible space clearance, they must provide the park with a written letter or email of “Authorization to Access Property”. The letter must state the name and contact information of the property owner, address of the property, name of the individual(s) being granted access, and expected date(s) and frequency of access. Entrance into the park will be granted with the letter and a valid identification. Send the letter/email to chad_andrews@nps.gov?.
Prepare yourself and your property to become Wildfire Ready:
– Sign up for local alerts at go.nps.gov/alert
– For more tips, go to www.readyforwildfire.org
– For Yosemite NP defensible space questions email yose_fire_prevention@nps.gov (S. Saunders)
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Crane Flat Hazard Tree Removal March 11-14
The Mather Forestry crew will be removing hazardous trees along the BOF and Tioga roads, in the Crane Flat area. Work will take place March 11 through 14, between 7:30am and 4:00pm. Expect traffic delays. (J. Brown)
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Seeking Room for Rent
Current Rancheria resident seeking a room for rent in El Portal beginning in late May or early June. Single, female, no pets, can provide local references, and will shower roommates with homemade sweets, sourdough bread, and kombucha. If you have a space or room available, please email Allison.smyth11@gmail.com thanks! (A. Smyth)
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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
Valley Forestry On Lower Falls Trail
Valley Forestry will be removing tree hazards in the Lower Falls trail system. Portions of the trail system will be closed during operations, and work will continue Monday through Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm until further notice. (B. See)
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Single Lane Travel & One-Way Traffic Controls On State Route 120 During Spring And Summer 2020
Caltrans will conduct one-way traffic control on eastbound and westbound State Route 120 between Groveland and Yosemite National Park for paving operations. Work began Monday, April 13 and will finish in the Fall of 2020. Work is scheduled between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays and plan travel time accordingly. Work is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. Please drive carefully and watch for warning signs, workers and equipment in the roadway. (J. Donovan)