Yosemite National Park
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Highs 57 to 62 at 5000 feet… 45 to 51 at 8000 feet. Over higher elevations, southwest winds around 25 mph with gusts to around 45 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows 36 to 46 at 5000 feet…28 to 36 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds around 25 mph over higher elevations. Over higher elevations, gusts up to 40 mph in the evening.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Highs 53 to 59 at 5000 feet… 41 to 49 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts to around 50 mph over higher elevations.
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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COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATIONS
Testing
For Thanksgiving week, testing will take place on Monday, November 22 (clinic) and Tuesday November 23 (wellness center) – no Thursday testing (due to the holiday).
Free COVID-19 testing is available through LHI in Yosemite Valley from 10 am to 6 pm on Mondays (Yosemite Medical Clinic) and Thursdays (Curry Village Wellness Center). Walk-Ins are welcome or visit https://www.lhi.care/covidtesting
to schedule a test. Yosemite Medical Clinic can perform COVID testing for symptomatic individuals Monday through Friday.
COVID & Flu Vaccinations
COVID vaccines have been approved for kids ages 5-11! The Yosemite Medical Clinic recommends everyone five years old and older get vaccinated. If you have any questions about this vaccine, please call or come by the Yosemite Medical Clinic to talk to the staff. You can call the clinic at 372-4637. The clinic also encourages everyone to get their flu vaccines for further protection. Please register in advance for the COVID vaccine at https://myturn.ca.gov/.
Wednesday, November 24 – COVID vaccine clinic at Yosemite Medical Clinic 9am – 4pm – adult
Wednesday, December 1 – COVID vaccine clinic at Yosemite Medical Clinic 9am-4pm – adult doses and kids 2nd doses
In addition, Mariposa County is offering the following clinics:
Thursday, November 18 – Community Health Center (5300 49 N, Mariposa) 9-12PM and 2:30-4:30PM. Appointments required.
Tuesday, November 23 – Community Health Center (5300 49 N, Mariposa) 9-12PM and 2:30-4:30PM. Appointments required.
You can make appointments at https://www.myturn.ca.gov/.
Additional Resources
– Updated CDC guidelines for booster shots: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html
– Check booster eligibility: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
– Free COVID-19 vaccinations (full series and boosters) are available at the Yosemite Medical Clinic on Wednesdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Online registration is required and can be completed in advance on your computer or mobile device or onsite, at https://myturn.ca.gov
– NPS Employee Information: https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/nps-InsideNPS/SitePages/NPS-Coronavirus-Response-Information.aspx
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NEW & HAPPENING TODAY
Valley Power Outages Today
There will be multiple valley power outages to complete some valley wide testing and to replace a transfer switch.
– There will be a Yosemite Valley wide outage Thursday morning around 9AM for approximately 30 minutes.
– There will be another outage Thursday afternoon around 5PM, but to only the Administrative Building, Museum and Visitor Center and then another shortly after this area is reenergized for testing.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Michael Pieper at 209-200-1131. Your patience with all the various outages is appreciated, and please remember to save your computer work today. (M. Pieper)
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Limited Medical Clinic Services Today
Yosemite Medical Clinic will not have provider appointments available after 1PM on Thursday, November 18 due to a planned absence of providers. However, nursing triage and advice will be available until close of business. Provider appointments will resume on Friday, November 19 at 9AM.
Emergency Services will be available by calling 911. (R. Madrid)
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Wapama Falls Bridge Open
The emergency repairs to the Wapama Falls footbridge have been completed and the water from recent storms has receded to the point where the bridge is safe to re-open to the public. Closure signage will be removed from the area. (J. Filosa)
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Valley Loop Trail Open
On October 21, portions of the Valley and the Valley Loop Trail were closed to public use during and after prescribed fire ignitions. This trail and surrounding area are now open. (J. Trust)
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Valley Pile Burning Through Friday
Fire crews will be pile burning in the valley Thursday, November 18 through Friday, November 19 behind Yosemite Lodge along the bike path on the north side of Swinging Bridge. Visitors and employees should be aware that smoke may be present throughout burning operations and could linger to a much lesser degree into the following weeks as large logs are consumed.
Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit. Email russell_mitchell@nps.gov for more information. (J. Anderson)
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RECENT NEWS
New Contracting Supervisor
Please welcome Eric Jordan, Yosemite’s new Chief of Contracting/MABO Lead, who arrived in late August. Most recently, Eric comes from the Department of Energy’s Western Area Power Administration, Desert Southwest Region, where he was the Construction Contracting Team Lead, and also served an eight-month detail as the Region’s Procurement Manager. Prior to that, Eric worked as a Contracting Officer for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the United States Air Force. Eric has a combined 28 years of federal service in contracting, and brings a wealth of experience in construction contracting, services, and commodities contracts. Eric will be working remotely from Arizona but is available on Teams or Government cell phone. (C. Flanagan)
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Village Store New Products
Yosemite Hospitality just launched new products at the Village Store with a focus on artisanal brands and healthy alternatives. You will see an increase in variety and specialty items such as organic, vegan and keto-friendly. Similar additions to the El Portal Market and Wawona Store will soon be launched, as well. (L. Cesaro)
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Unit In Mariposa
Apartment coming available December 1. 2 bedroom, 1 bath in town (Mariposa). A small, house-trained pet may be OK. Rent is $900/month, with a 1 month security deposit due at commitment. Tenant pays phone, tv, electric and internet. Landlord pays trash removal, water, and propane. Email kathleen@kleavitt.com for more information. (C. Henry)
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Seeking El Portal Housing
Single male looking for housing in El Portal. Clean, quiet, and has no pets. Willing to do any work or chores around the house/apartment. Email joshua.giammichele@gmail.com or call 747-258-2407 for more information. (J. Giammichele)
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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
Merced Grove Restoration Safety Closure
The Merced Grove of giant sequoias is closed for restoration within the grove removing hazardous fuel loads. In 2020 and 2021, thousands of giant sequoias died due to high severity fire burning through fuel loaded forests. To reduce the risk to the Merced Grove of giant sequoias, a team will be removing fuels from in and around the grove. Email garrett_dickman@nps.gov for more information or access. (G. Dickman)