Yosemite National Park Thursday, May 21, 2020

Yosemite National Park

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast

Today: Sunny. Not as cool. Highs 62 to 70 at 5000 feet…51 to 59 at 8000 feet.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows 42 to 49 at 5000 feet…31 to 39 at 8000 feet.

Tomorrow: Sunny. Highs 55 to 61 at 5000 feet…41 to 51 at 8000 feet. Gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon.

Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:

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

NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Virtual Naturalist Club Today

Join resident naturalists as they explore their own back yards. A small series has been compiled for you to check out while at home, with a chance to discuss your observations.

– Watch provided naturalist videos

– Record your observations (journal, sketch, photos, etc.)

– Join a live discussion Thursday, May 21 from 9 to 9:30 a.m.

Visit yoscommunity.com/events for full event details. (J. Gonzales)

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

RECENT NEWS

Campground Reservations

All camping arrivals have been cancelled through May 31. (E. Bissmeyer)

_______________________

Congratulations Boots

Yosemite Fire and Aviation is proud to announce that Andrew Davenport (better known as Boots) has accepted the position of Yosemite Helicopter Program Manager.

Boots brings his strong knowledge of fire and aviation along with excellent interpersonal skills into managing a technical and complex aviation program. The Helicopter Program Manager is responsible for managing the Helitack Crew and Exclusive Use contract helicopter to safely manage wildland fire, perform search and rescues, and support resource and infrastructure projects within the park and our surrounding area.

In 2002 Boots came to Yosemite to work for Yosemite Institute where he found a landscape and community he loved. Boots took his first seasonal fire job with the Yosemite Wildland Fire Fuels crew in 2004. In 2007 he joined the Yosemite Helitack Crew as a seasonal firefighter and accepted his first career seasonal job as a Lead Crewmember GS-7 in 2013, promoting into the Assistant Helicopter Program Manager in 2017.

Those who know him appreciate his approachable leadership style both on and off the fire line. His charismatic personality is matched by his depth of institutional and technical knowledge of wildland fire and aviation. A highlight of his career has been serving on an interagency workgroup to integrate NPS and the U.S. Forest Service short-haul programs. Please join the Yosemite Fire and Aviation Program in congratulating Boots officially in his new role as the Yosemite National Park Helicopter Program Manager. (K. Killian)

_______________________

Community Updates As Of May 15

The seasonal work force is beginning to arrive. Not as many as usual, but enough to start getting the park up and running. Crews will start clearing Tioga Road, and start to get housing and utilities up in Tuolumne. Leadership is working hard on a system to more actively manage visitation this summer. The park is working closely with the surrounding counties on what that system may look like and to help communities know what to expect.

Mariposa did experience its first COVID-19 fatality, and Yosemite expresses sorrow to that family and part of the community. Please do maintain social distancing and cleanliness standards as the virus is very much here.

As Mariposa County moves to Stage 2.5, some modifications have been made to the closure order.

– PCT through hikers with valid permits can hike through Yosemite. Likely you won’t see them. Many have canceled or altered their trips, but there are some.

– Residents of El Portal administrative site can enter the park for recreation.

– The requirement to remain in districts for recreation has been lifted.

– Yosemite West is included as a group able to recreate in the park.

The park is still otherwise a closed area, other than property owners and contractors doing work on properties or park projects.

This was the last community call for the forseeable future. If any urgent information comes up. People can still submit questions and concerns at www.yoscommunity.com. Currently the plan is to post any smaller updates on the website as well, likely on Thursdays.

_______________________

Yosemite Medical Clinic Holiday Closure

Yosemite Medical Clinic will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day, a federal holiday. Otherwise, the Clinic’s normal operating hours will remain Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (walk-ins accepted until 4:30 pm unless clinic capacity is reached earlier) until further notice. As usual, ambulance response will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by calling 911. (C. Griffin)

_______________________

Pile Burning Continues

Cooler and wetter weather conditions are predicted for next week. Starting Sunday May 17, Yosemite National Park will continue pile burning throughout the park once adequate precipitation is received and as fuel and weather conditions allow. Burning piles is an efficient and effective way for reducing excessive fuel build-up on the landscape. These piles are remnants of mechanical thinning from forestry operations and large-scale landscape restoration projects. Locations where burning may occur over the next month include western Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Ferguson Fire footprint along Wawona Road, and at wood lots.

Smoke will be present during pile burning operations. However, smoke produced during pile burning is significantly less than if an unwanted wildfire occurs. Smoke from ignited piles will remain until the piles are completely consumed.

Fire managers work closely with the local air pollution control districts to time the projects to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin pile burning operations. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.

Please use caution while traveling in these areas and make sure to look for signs on the roadways that say, “Prescribed Fire Do Not Report” or “Smoke on Road”, this usually means crews are working close to the roads.

For more information email fire_info@nps.gov or go to go.nps.gov/yosefire (S. Saunders)

_______________________

Defensible Space Inspections Begin June 10

Are you fire ready? Yosemite National Park fire staff will begin conducting defensible space inspections in the park’s communities on June 10. Inspections are educational and the inspector will maintain social distancing.

Creating and maintaining defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.

It is always important to maintain year-round clearance to become wildfire ready. Every house that meets the recommendations helps keep the entire community safer from fire spread.

For questions about defensible space inspections contact yose_fire_prevention@nps.gov

To learn more about becoming wildfire ready and getting tips on defensible space clearance go to http://www.readyforwildfire.org

Remember to sign up for all local Yosemite alerts at: go.nps.gov/alert (S. Saunders)

_______________________

Room For Rent

Spacious room for rent in a beautiful, large 4+ bed/2.5 bath home, nestled in the hills off the 140, near the border of Mariposa and Midpines. Home is on 5 quiet acres, surrounded by great views which you can see from the bedroom windows. $450/month per room, plus a portion of utilities. Large kitchen, private bath, fireplace and indoor onsite laundry. Deposit and references required. Email synchronicity.support@gmail.com if you’re interested. (K. Indigo)

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

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)

_______________________

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)