Prescribed burn in Yosemite

Prescribed Burn Scheduled in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park Fire Managers are planning a prescribed fire in the southern portion of the park near Bishop Creek along the Wawona Road, on Friday, September 30, 2011.  Ignition of the prescribed fire is dependent on weather conditions.  The total prescribed burn area will include 5,224 acres.  The burn area will be broken up into segments, with Segment A being ignited on Friday, and will include 1,400 acres.  Fire engines, water tenders, and fire crews from Yosemite National Park will be present during all fire activity.

It is estimated that the burn will take approximately four to five days to complete.  Temperatures over the scheduled burn dates are predicted to be in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.

Smoke from the burn may be visible throughout the park, but may be more evident in Yosemite West, Wawona, Yosemite Valley, El Portal and Foresta.

There is a possibility of nighttime smoke impacts along the Wawona Road.

The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce fire fuels near the communities of Yosemite West, Wawona, Glacier Point, and El Portal.  This prescribed fire will help to reduce over-accumulation of fuels near these communities, thereby reducing the chances of wildfires.

Historically, fire has burned as frequently as every four to twelve years in this particular area.  However, there have been no fires in the vicinity for the past 25 years.  This project is another step in restoring fire depending forest ecosystems in Yosemite National Park’s lower mixed conifer pine forest.

                                   -NPS-

Pomegranate Festival to include recipe contest

Jarrod Lyman
Director of Media
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
(559) 683-4636 

Recipe contest unveiled for Madera Pomegranate Celebration and Festival

Madera, CA. – The presenting sponsor of the Madera Pomegranate Celebration and Festival is holding a national recipe contest, looking for dishes and drinks inspired by the heart-healthy fruit.

The contest is separated in to three categories, Best Recipe by a Food Professional, Best Recipe by a Home Cook and Pomegranate Beverage/Cocktail. The recipes can use pomegranate arils (seeds), pomegranate juice or pomegranate concentrate. 

The best entry in each category will win $500.

“There are a lot of possible applications to use pomegranates in recipes,” said K.C. Pomering with Stiebs and a member of the Pomegranate Celebration committee. “Many chefs are rediscovering uses for this fruit and incorporating them in new and exciting ways. We’re looking forward to seeing what both professionals and the home cooks come up with for this contest.”

Original recipes must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 25 using the submission form available at http://www.stiebs.com/contest.html. Images of the finished dish are also welcome, as are videos of the preparation process.

Winners will be announced at the first ever Pomegranate Festival to be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Appellation California. Winners do not need to be present when the announcements are made.  

About the Pomegranate Celebration and Festival

Madera is known as the Heart of Pomegranate Country. More and more of the fruit is being grown in and around Madera. Plus, almost all of the fruit grown in California comes to Madera for processing in the name brand products seen on store shelves at grocery stores throughout the country.

The inaugural Madera Pomegranate Celebration and Festival is being put on by the Madera Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Alliance committee. The week-long series of events will highlight Madera’s central role in the production of the fruit, its health benefits, culinary versatility and history at events throughout Madera and Madera County Oct. 29 – Nov. 5. The Festival will wrap up the celebration, taking place Nov. 5 at Appellation California. There will be live music, cooking demonstrations, vendors, and games for kids and more. To learn more, visit www.PomegranateFestival.com.

9th Annual Sierra Art Trails open house tour set for Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

Jarrod Lyman
Director of Media
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
(559) 683-4636

Sierra Art Trail gearing up for annual show

Oakhurst, CA. – The many artists located throughout the foothills will be showcasing their work at the annual Sierra Art Trails next weekend.

“The Sierra Art Trails Yosemite Foothills Open Studio Tour is the largest and most anticipated annual arts event in the area,” said Jon Bock with Stellar Art Gallery and head of the committee that put the event together each year. 

“The show gives art enthusiasts the chance to see fine art and fine crafts in the making, and to get a firsthand view of how artists live and work.”

Artwork from dozens of artists will be on display at galleries and other locations throughout Oakhurst and the surrounding area. The types of media used are also diverse, with everything from painting, sculpting, photography and more will all be shown.

“The artwork on display is truly stunning,” said Jarrod Lyman with the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, one of the sponsors for the event and also a display site. “The beauty of Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra Nevada area in which we live serves as inspiration for the many artists who call the region home, and that shows in the amazing works of art they create.”

The event takes place Friday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 2 from 10 am to 6 pm. The cost is $18 for two adults. The Sierra Art Trails catalog, which contains extensive information on each artist highlighted, also acts an admission ticket. Numerous locations have the catalogs for sale, including the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau at 40637 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA.

For a full list of locations and other information regarding the tour, visit the Sierra Art Trails website at  http://www.sierraarttrails.org.

-END-

Ansel Adams art and poetry contest

       Yosemite National Park and The Ansel Adams Gallery to Sponsor

            Gateway Expressions Student Art and Poetry Contest

           Winning Artwork to be Featured in Ansel Adams Gallery

Yosemite National Park and The Ansel Adams Gallery are sponsoring a Gateway Expressions Student Art and Poetry Contest to celebrate the creativity of youth in the Yosemite gateway communities.  The contest is open to all students, grades K-12, attending a school or youth program associated with the gateway community school districts of Yosemite National Park.

Interested parties should submit artwork and poetry no later than Friday, October 7, 2011.

Artwork or poetry should be original and should communicate a connection to Yosemite’s natural or cultural history.  Subject matter can focus on wildlife, plants, scenic areas, iconic features, seasonal changes, conservation and protection, or the legacy that Yosemite represents.

Selected student artwork and poetry will be featured in an exhibit at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley.  Students will also be acknowledged at a special awards ceremony on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at The Ansel Adams Gallery from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Contest winners will be notified by phone.

For more information, contest guidelines, and entry forms, please call

209-375-9490 or email yose_education@nps.gov.

                                   -NPS-

Yosemite Daily Report for Sept. 22

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park

Thursday, September 22, 2011

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm.

Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

El Portal

Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 105.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 105.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 102.

Wawona

Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Tuolumne Meadows

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny early, then becoming partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm.

Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

***************************************************

HAPPENING TODAY

Music at Sal's Tonight

Tonight at Sal's.....The Trespassers! YEA bar opens at 5PM and closes at 10PM. Come and support the community and spend time with good friends listening to good music. Please drink responsibly. Also, Sustainable Action will be reinstating Bicycle Repair Night tonight from 6-9 p.m. and every Sal's night thereafter.  Roll on down to eat a burrito rather than driving this week! Also, if you ride and are participating in the Climate Friendly Bike Project, please bring your bike by Sal's for a tune-up.  Contact Kate McHugh with questions: kmchugh@naturebridge.org  520.349.9818. (M.Dale -

9/22)

____________________________

2011 Facelift is Underway!

Today is the second day of 2011 Yosemite Facelift!  To learn what's going on, check out the Frequently Asked Questions on SharePoint at:

http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/intp/vip/default.aspx and the event flyers at http://yosemiteclimbing.org/ See News Release below for more information!  (H. Boothe - 9/21)

***************************************************

EMPLOYEE NEWS

Yosemite Volunteer Awards to be Presented Saturday September 24, 4pm Please come join us to celebrate our outstanding volunteers and volunteer programs at the 2nd Annual Yosemite Volunteer Awards! We'll be recognizing individual volunteers, volunteer groups, partners, and Yosemite volunteer supervisors and programs. This takes place on the fourth day of Facelift as well as National Public Lands Day -- traditionally the single biggest volunteer day of the year in Yosemite -- a perfect date for celebrating volunteers.  The event will take place on Saturday, September 24, at 4pm in front of the Valley Visitor Center. (H. Boothe - 9/22) ___________________________________________________

Power Interuption Scheduled

The High Voltage Crew will be replacing meters at the Yosemite Clinic dorms and residences on Monday, September 26, 2011 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm.

During this time the power will be shut off there to accomplish installing the meters.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call the High Voltage Shop at 379-1236. (M. Christiansen - 9/21) ___________________________________________________

5, 10, 15, 20 Years to Retirement? This Class is For You!

HROC will provide the training - and help you prepare for retirement, whether you are 2 or 20 years from retirement.  We're looking for at least

50 participants, so  RSVP as soon as

possible to avoid a cancelled class.  Encourage your Co-workers (& spouses) to join you for this invaluable training!  Email RSVPs only please - and not later than Fri, Oct 14.

Class is Thurs, Dec 8 and Fri, Dec, 9 at the El Portal Large Breakroom, time to be determined.  If you are paying into a Federal retirement fund you should attend! (T.Hawkins - 9/22)

***************************************************

PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS

Eighth Annual “Yosemite Facelift” Volunteer Event to be Held in Yosemite National Park September 21-25, 2011 - news release Scott Gediman 209-372-0248 Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Climbing Association invite the public to participate in the “Yosemite Facelift” being held on Wednesday, September 21 through Sunday, September 25, 2010.  This annual event is organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association to help clean up the park after the busy summer season.  Volunteers are needed to help pick up litter at various locations in the park, including roadways, in the river corridor, on trails, near climbing routes, and in parking, camping, and lodging areas.  Events and presentations honoring Yosemite’s climbing history will be held throughout the weekend.

Last year, over 1,000 Yosemite Facelift volunteers collected 172,307 pounds of trash, with over 140,000 pounds of it being old asphalt and concrete.

Over 80 percent of the trash collected was recycled.  More than 160 miles of roadway were cleaned, as well as over 100 miles of trails and 20 miles of river corridor.

Interested volunteers should sign up at the booth in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 21st through Sunday, September 25th.  A second check-in station will be located at Lembert Dome Parking Area in Tuolumne Meadows.  The Tuolumne Meadows booth will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Friday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 25th.  Crew leaders will be at the booths to organize work groups and hand out trash bags, gloves, and litter sticks.

Trash must be returned to the booths each day by 5:00 p.m. to be weighed and sorted.

Each participant will receive a raffle ticket for every day they volunteer.

There will be a raffle held each day of the event at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center booth at 5:00 p.m.  An end of event reception will be held on Sunday, September 25th, and will include complimentary food and beverages, and live music by Little Brother.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, please contact Ken Yager at yageryca@gmail.com or visit the Yosemite Climbing Association website at www.yosemiteclimbing.org.

Individuals who are unable to participate during the cleanup, but would still like to help, may make a tax deductible donation to help pay for costs associated with the cleanup effort.  Donations can be made to the Yosemite Climbing Association at P.O. Box 89 Yosemite, California 95389.

(K. Cobb - 9/14)

____________________________________________________

Yosemite Fires - Update #20

The active 20 lightning fires did not experience much activity or growth over the weekend.  The recent precipitation from the storms last week has slowed the fire activity.  As warmer weather settles into the region, more smoke may become visible.  All fires are being monitored, patrolled or are staffed.  Thunderstorm activity is a possibility in the afternoon along the Sierra Nevada Crest.

Decisions as to what fire to “keep” or “put out” are made by fire managers for a variety of reasons.  For example the assessment to keep a fire may be predicated upon public health impacts due to smoke production, frequency of fire in the same location and/or available resources.  Each fire is evaluated and assessed on its own merit in comparison of all fires burning within the park.

Fire managers made a decision to put out the Kibbie fire due to high fire behavior and spread potential due to the fire’s alignment with topography, wind and vegetation.  The Kibbie fire had the highest potential of all of Yosemite’s current fires to get big quickly.  Due to other fires in California and nationally, there were few local fire resources available due to drawdown.  Additionally, the Bishop Creek Wildland Urban Interface protection planned prescribed fire is a high priority fall project and is an appropriate trade-off.

Suppression Fire Unit:

Gin:  (37 47.467 x 119 46.897; 5,700’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/11) Is contained and in patrol status.

Aspen:  (37 47.648 x 119 46.691; 5,700’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/12) Is contained and in patrol status.

South Fork:  (37 48.099 x 119 46.065; 5,577’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/12) Is contained and in patrol status.

Valley:  (37 48.189 x 119 46.297; 5,577’el. Tuolumne Co. 9/12) Is contained and in patrol status.

Wilderness Fire Unit:  Two wilderness fires have potential to move and become larger:  Smith, and Tamarack.

Smith (37 55.249 x 119 45.945; 6,300” el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14) It is at 1.5 acres, and burning in red fir and duff with low fire activity.  Smoke is visible in the afternoons with the southwest aspect drying of available fuels.  Crews are on scene.  It has high potential for growth.

Tamarack (37 45.982 x 119 44.436; 7,700’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13). One acre has burned and the fire perimeter is 80% active, with 1’ to 2’ foot flame lengths, burning in red fire duff and forest litter.  It is moving toward the north/northeast. It is approximately 1 mile northeast of Tamarack campground, and near the footprint of the 1988 Walker fire.  It may be visible from the Tioga Rd.

Starr (37 42.737 x 119 31.096; 8,200’ el., Mariposa Co. 9/14) It is north of Mt Starr King, and is smoldering through ground fuels with very little

activity:  5% of the perimeter is active and is .1 of an acre.  It has minimal potential for growth.  NOTE:  The lat/longs have changed.

Coyote Rocks (37 37.49.186 x 119 32.593; 9,000’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/14.) There are four fires in the same general area: Coyote, Snow, Hoffman and Rocks.  Each is active.  Smoke was visible from the Hoffman fire along Tioga Rd; it is .5 to 1 acre in size.

Blue Jay (37 46.566 x 119 39.111; 8,500’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/14.)  It is northeast of Ribbon fire in red fire. This fire is inactive.

Kibbie (37 59.629 x 19 52.437; 5,600”el.  Tuolumne Co. 9/14.) It is fully lined and in patrol status.

Hoover (37 38.302 x 119 28.635; 8,500’el. Madera Co. 9/14) It is near the

2001 Hoover fire.  It is active and creeping through brush and forest litter.

Dark Hole (37 50.877 x 119 37.702; 8,500’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13) This fire is east of White Wolf and south of Tioga Rd.  A single tree was struck and the fire is creeping through forest litter and duff.  Light smoke is visible.

Ribbon (37 46.264 x 119 39.291; 8.500’el. Mariposa Co. 9/12) This lightning strike was to a single tree in red fir.  It is approximately 2 miles east of Cascade Creek.  It remains active.

Cascade (37 45.879 x 119 41.846; 7,700’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/12) This fire is inactive.

Quartzite (37 43.478 x 119 24.468; 9,000’el. Mariposa Co. 9/2)   This fire

is inactive.

Adair (37.42.675 x 119 23.986; 8,600’el. Mariposa Co. 9.2) It is 2 miles west of Washburn Lake.  It is approximately 4.6 acres in size, and is smoldering in forest duff, and remains active.

Avalanche Fire (N37 39.794 x W119 42.238; 6,400’el. Mariposa Co.)  The

1,068 acre fire is controlled and in patrol status. Light smoke continues to be visible at the top of Avalanche Creek.

Additional Fires:

Sunrise (37 47.469 x 119 26.088; 9,400’ el., Mariposa CO.)  An escaped camp fire was found by park workers.  A 10x20 smoldering fire was lined and put out by Helicopter 551 crews Sunday 9/18/2011.

For additional Information, contact Gary Wuchner, Fire Information and Education, Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov; (209) 375-9574 or (209) 372-0480. Also, visit the Yosemite Fire  Management Website:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.

For air quality:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm,

and park WEBCAMS at http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

(G. Wuncher - 9/21)

_____________________________________________________

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Tree Work on Hwy 41

Sept. 19th - Sept 22, NPS Forestry crews will be felling hazard trees along Hwy 41 from Chinquapin to Yosemite Valley. Traffic control will be in effect with minor delays between 7:00am and 3:30pm. (L. Castro - 9/20)

Hodgdon Meadow Wastewater Improvements

Construction of the replacement winter wastewater treatment system for Hodgdon Meadow will begin this week (Sept 19) and continue for approximately ten weeks.  The contractor is AMA Diversified Group. The first phases of the project will entail demolition of the existing septic tank and leach field in the meadow above the Cuneo house, as well as some tree removal from the existing spray field between Carlon Road and the existing wastewater treatment facility.  Be aware of construction traffic and road restrictions at Carlon Road and near and below the residential area as well as construction activity. We apologize for any inconveniences that this project may cause. Thank you. (P. Pyle - 9/20)

Ongoing Sewer Main Rehabilitation

Starting Thursday September 15 until further notice, segments of Northside Drive will be reduced to one lane between the Wood Lot and Pohono Bridge.

Expect very minimal traffic delays due to construction activity along this road segment. The El Portal Rd. will be reduced to one lane between Pohono Bridge and the Big Oak Flat Rd. / El Portal Rd. intersection. Traffic lights will be utilized to assist with traffic management along this road segment. Expect up to 10 minute delays in this construction zone. Thank you in advance for your continued patience as the NPS rehabilitates this old sewer main. This project is currently scheduled to be complete before Thanksgiving. Please drive carefully in all construction zones. (M.

Wichmann - 9/15)

*************************************************

ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Sheri Ogden will be Acting Chief of Business and Revenue Management on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Jim Donovan will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division Thursday and Friday September 22nd and 23rd..  He can be reached by phone in his El Portal office at 379-1450 on Thursday the 22nd.  Jim will be available on Friday, September 23rd on his Blackberry at 209-631-6393.

Colin Leslie (379-1456) will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social Science on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 21 and 22.

Dave Humphrey (379.1029) will be acting Chief for the Division of Resources Management & Science from Monday, Sept. 19 through Monday, Sept. 26.

Nancy Bissmeyer will be Acting Communications Branch Chief September 18-30, 2011. Nancy can be reached at 379-1188.

Dale St. Vincent has been selected as the acting Administrative Officer until the AO position is permanently filled.

Karen Kolbeck has been selected as the acting Supervisory General Supply Specialist. Karen can be reached at 379-1028.

Ron Watson has been selected as the acting, Supervisory IT Specialist until the position is permanently filled. Ron can be reached at 379-1074.

Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.

**************************************************

COMMUNITY NEWS

This Week at the 6th Street Cinema

September 22 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m.: A MORE PERFECT UNION: AMERICA BECOMES A NATION.  (In honor of Constitution Week) [Free Admission - 114 minutes; not

rated.) "A More Perfect Union" makes us witnesses to the Constitutional Convention -- that long, hot summer of struggle to create a new form of free government.

Sept. 23-24 (Friday - Saturday)  7:30 p.m.: ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES.

Rated PG, 87 minutes. [Admission is $5 for Mariposa Tomato Festival attendees!]. A cult film classic. Please, no ketchup allowed in the theater! The cinema is located upstairs in the historic Old Masonic Lodge on 6th Street, in downtown Mariposa. Entrance is $7 per film for non-members; non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership is $12 allowing film entry for $3 each.  More information is available on the website:

www.sixthstreetcinema.org   (T. Arfsten - 9/22)

_____________________________________________________

Mt. Bullion Airport Fire and Rescue Company 25 Fundraiser Please join us Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 8am until 11am at the Mariposa Airport for the "Fly-in" Pancake Breakfast.  Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee for only - $5.00 for Adults; $3.00 for Children.  All proceeds benefit the Fire and Rescue operations of the Mt.

Bullion Airport Fire and Rescue Company 25.  Thank you for your support!

Hope to see you there! (K. Keheley - 9/20) _____________________________________________________

Available Housing

1.   Apartment for Rent: Duplex unit available in the town of Mariposa: 2

BR / 1 BA, 5138 Bullion Street.  $650 per month.  Agent, Sierra Pines Property Management: (559) 683-2850. (J. Donovan - 9/22)

2.   House For Rent: Bootjack area, Very nice, Energy efficient 2bd, 2bth,

home with separate 2 car garage on 3+ acres. 1282 sq. ft. home with wood stove & propane heating, swamp cooler, refrig/freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer. Quiet area with great views. Applications and references required. Available now. Rent $1000.00 per month. $1500.00 security deposit. Call Dennis at 209-966-5807 or email bux@sti.net. (K. Keheley -

9/20)

3.  Cabin for Rent: Mountain Cabin in Mariposa.  1 BR on 7+ acres with great views on private road.  $700 per month. No inside pets. If interested, please contact Jerry Feroben at Daily and Company, Mariposa 966-5847. (C.Baker - 9/22)

To plan your Yosemite Adventure, visit www.YosemiteThisYear.com