Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
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HAPPENING TODAY
Yosemite Forum - July 12
Please join RMS and Iara Lacher, PhD Candidate in Ecology, UC Davis today, July 12, 2011 from noon to 1pm for the July Yosemite Forum. Iara will be giving a presentation on Climate Tolerance of Rare and Common Plants:
Implications to Species Models and Management. (M. Thornley - 7/8) ______________________________________________________
El Portal Hazard Tree Removal
Mon. 7/11 thru Tue. 7/12. NPS Forestry Crew will be working along the upper section of Foresta Rd.(5650 Foresta Rd) in Old El Portal. It may be necessary to block the road intermittently throughout the day while removing hazard trees. Work hours will be from 6:30 am to 4:00pm. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. (L. Castro - 7/7) ______________________________________________________
El Portal Road Closure The Foresta Road in El Portal will be closed to vehicle traffic on Tuesday July 12, 2011 from 0600 to 1600 hours. The road closure will be at the Foresta and Spur Road junction and just east of the Foresta Road entrance to the El Portal Maintenance Complex. (M. Sebastian -
7/11)
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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS
Bear Facts - July 3 – 9, 2011
Weekly Total
| # of | Damage
| Incidents |
---------------+--------------+-----------
Parking Lots | 0 | $0
---------------+--------------+-----------
Campground s | 4 | $90
---------------+--------------+-----------
Other Areas | 2 | $25
---------------+--------------+-----------
Backcountry | 0 | $0
---------------+--------------+-----------
Total | 6 | $115
Yearly Total
| # of | Damage
| Incidents |
---------------+--------------+-----------
Parking Lots | 8 | $7,300
---------------+--------------+-----------
Campgrounds | 19 | $1,665
---------------+--------------+-----------
Other Areas | 17 | $1,347
---------------+--------------+-----------
Backcountry | 0 | $0
---------------+--------------+-----------
Total | 45 | $10,312
*Additionally there have been 12 bear incidents where a bear obtained trash that was left out or from trash cans or dumpsters that were not secure.
Year to Date Comparisons for the Week of June 26th –July 2nd, 2011 SIX bears have been reported hit by vehicles so far in 2011. Please obey speed limits and pay attention while driving! In 2010, 28 bears were hit by vehicles.
| 1998 | 2011 | Percent | 2010 | 2011 | Percent
| | | Change | | | Change
-----------+----------+---------+------------+---------+---------+------------
Incident | 385 | 45 | -88.31% | 195 | 45 | -76.92%
s | | | | | |
-----------+----------+---------+------------+---------+---------+------------
Damage | $178,73 | $10,31 | -94.23% | $58,20 | $10,31 | -82.28%
| 8 | 2 | | 7 | 2 |
Weekly Incidents by Location
| # of
| Incidents
---------------------+--------------
Upper Pines | 3
---------------------+--------------
Hodgden Meadow | 1
---------------------+--------------
LeConte Memorial | 1
---------------------+--------------
Tuolumne | 1
Campground |
---------------------+--------------
Total | 6
Bear Activity Summary
OBEY SPEED LIMITS, PAY ATTENTION, SAVE A BEAR! This week two more bears were hit by vehicles. Please drive slowly and anticipate wildlife or other obstructions in the road.This week multiple bears were active in campgrounds throughout Yosemite. If you are camping, please treat your bear locker like you would your refrigerator at home. Open it to get what you need, then close and latch it immediately. Stay close to any food that is out day and night. If you see a bear during your visit, please report it to the Save-a-bear hotline at 209-372-0322.
Interesting Bear Fact: Black bears are excellent swimmers, and often swim as a way to play or cool off. (C. Lee-Roney - 7/12)
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Yosemite Fire Update #6 - July 10, 2011 Hodgdon Prescribed Fire: Approximate El. 5,000’, Tuolumne Co. This collaborative prescribed fire project, with the Stanislaus National Forest, began at 7AM July 10, 2011. Approximately 150 acres was treated. The primary objective of this 500 acre project is Wildland Urban Interface protection to the community of Hodgdon Meadows and other Park infrastructure. Extensive collaboration and cooperation was conducted by the Park and Forest to conduct this project. It had been delayed through the spring due to high fuel moistures and record breaking snow pack. The predicted cooler temperatures and southwest transport winds favored smoke dispersion throughout the project today. Much of the interior of the project has no recorded fire history. Approximately 70 firefighters are assigned to this fire. It is predicted by fire managers that two additional days of “burn-down” will be required. Firefighters were assisted by Yosemite’s Traffic division, assisting drivers by escorts through smoke. The smoke column will be visible throughout the park and from local locations outside the park. The Tuolumne Co APCD has issued the park a burn permit to conduct the prescribed fire. Smoke monitors have been deployed in smoke sensitive areas determined by Yosemite’s Air Quality manager and Tuolumne County APCD.
Bald: (37 50.823x119 47.434, approximate el. 6,200’, Tuolumne Co.). The fire was declared contained at 2 PM, June 29 at 210 acres. Firefighters will continue to monitor this fire. Many fires have occurred in this area over the years due to lightning; the largest being the 1996 Ackerson Fire.
That fire burned over 60 thousand acres in the Park. Light Smoke from the Bald Fire may continue to be observed from the Tioga Rd., west of White Wolf, and along the Evergreen Rd., near Ackerson Meadow, and in locations along Highway 120 into the park from Buck Meadows and Groveland.
Cottonwood: (37.9043x119.8024, 5,000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire was found on June 6, 2011, after a thunderstorm of June 5. The fire is in patrol status, and will be monitored on a regular basis.
For additional Information: If you would like to be included on the fire interest email list, please contact Gary Wuchner at the below numbers or email address. Yosemite Fire Information and Education Office:
Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov - (209) 375-9574 or 372-0480 Yosemite Fire Management
(G. Wuchner - 7/11)
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Tuolumne Meadows Service Station is not operational at this time due to satellite communication issues. Please notify visitors and staff of the temporary closure. Vehicle fuel is available in El Portal, Wawona, or Crane Flat. DNC will provide notification when fuel services are restored in Tuolumne Meadows. (V. McMichael - 7/11)
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EMPLOYEE NEWS
Equal Opportunity Committee Meeting
The next Equal Opportunity Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 2-4 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Windowless Conference Room in the El Portal Maintenance Complex. Mary Kline will be our guest speaker and will present an overview of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program and discuss the Conflict Resolution Program . Please join us to learn more about the resources available to employees as we strive to ensure that equal opportunity is implemented throughout the park.
(A. Summerlin - 7/12)
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Valley Loop Trail Resurfacing
The Valley Loop Trail will be closed during work hours (8:00am-5:00pm) Mon through Friday, from Church Bowl to Lower Yosemite Falls loop. Detour signs are in place. This is due to trail resurfacing project. Expect closure to remain in effect through 8/22/11. (R. Kish - 7/12)
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Yosemite National Park Continues Work on Pavement Preservation Project July 6 Update (expect up to 15-minute delays)
El Portal Road
This week, July 5th thru the 8th crews will be working nights crack sealing from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Next week, July 11th and 12th crews will be working during the day microsealing turnouts from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Please anticipate closure of turnouts along the El Portal Road next Monday and Tuesday, then as soon as the material has cured, the turnouts will be reopened to traffic.
Rancheria and Old El Portal Areas
Next week, July 11th thru 15th crews will be microsealing various roads in
Rancheria and Old El Portal from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For each work area,
crews will be installing signs to notify residents when work is occurring on a particular street or parking area, so please move your vehicles when crews are working in your area. Next week is the beginning of the final surface treatment, so some of the narrow roads will require closure for up
to 4-hours as the material cures, while others may require detours. Also,
unless it is an emergency, please do not drive on the new pavement until you are directed to do so.
Foresta Road East (Foresta Community)
Crews will be chipsealing the Foresta Road on July 18th, between the Big Oak Flat Road and the Dumpster Area.
Hodgdon Area
Crews will be completing pothole repairs July 12th and 13th, then chipsealing the various roads July 14th and 15th, so please follow the guidance of the traffic control staff to avoid getting oil on your vehicles.
El Portal Administrative Parking Complex Crews are planning to complete pothole repairs on July 8th and 11th, then crack sealing on July 10th (Sunday, to minimize impacts to park operations). Please advise your staff they can move the government vehicles to concrete areas, because we are only crack sealing and patching the asphalt surfaces. (M. Pieper - 7/7)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
Charles Cuvelier is acting Deputy Superintendent for the month of July.
Charles can be reached at 372-0211.
Carol Knipper is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology Programs from July
11 through 15.
David Engelstad will be Acting Construction Branch Chief, Project Management Division, from Monday July 11 through Friday July 15th while
Mike Wichmann is away from the park. David can be reached at 379-1277.
Chris Smith will be acting Mather District Ranger Saturday July 9th through Tuesday July 12th.
Don Ramsey will be the Acting Supervisory General Supply Specialist from July 5 - 19. He can be reach at 379-1024.
Rachel Lewis will be acting Wilderness Patrol Supervisor from Wednesday afternoon June 29 through Sunday July 17. Rachel can be reached at the Wilderness Patrol Office at 372-0360 or by cell phone at (559) 731-1789.
General Wilderness questions can be answered by calling the Wilderness Office at (209) 372-0347.
Dale St. Vincent has been selected as the acting Administrative Officer until the AO position is permanently filled.
Jim Roche will be acting branch chief of Physical Sciences and Landscape Ecology through September 30th.
Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger until further notice.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park Archivist while Paul Rogers is on a detail as the Acting Regional Archivist (PWR). If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Sal's This Thursday!
This Thursday, the first Sal's of July! Come join your friends and neighbors at the El Portal Community Hall as Yosemite Employee Association hosts another Sal's night. Please pass the word to seasonals that YEA is a volunteer social non-profit organization dedicated to bringing park partners together in a non-work setting. Remember when you drink beverages purchased at the YEA bar you are directly helping the community. YEA donates all its profits to the local non-profits in the community such as the 3 Park schools, Balanced Rock, Sustainable Action, El Portal Community Hall Association, local sports teams, etc. Consider this, purchasing one beer from YEA can buy 4 toothbrushes that YEA Board members give out at Halloween! We don't just ask you to drink, we ask you to drink for the children (responsibly, as always) Designated drivers get free sodas. (M.
Dale - 7/12)
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FOR RENT: Townhouse at Aquerdo Con Dios; 5303 Highway 49 N., #13; located in Mariposa;1200 Sq Feet; 1 Bedroom; 1.5 Bath; perfect for 1 person or couple; monthly rent: $800. Beautifully maintained spacious 1 bedroom open loft above living area with walk-in closet, bathroom and private balcony. Living area has large windows for extra light with custom built shutters for privacy, fireplace, and vaulted ceiling in living room. Half bath downstairs. Utility area with washer and dryer hook-ups. Pantry or storage located under stairway. Conveniently located near pool. Seasonal stream runs next to townhouse. Homeowners Association takes care of grounds, pool, water, sewer, and building exterior. Free garbage pick up.
Interior has been painted and loft and stairs have been re-carpeted. If interested contact Michael or Deborah Jordan at 966-5518. (Y. Radanovich -
7/12)
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FOR RENT: Studio located off Triangle Rd and Hwy 140 area. Stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer supplied. Unit has propane heat and
woodstove. Available around August 1. Asking $500 monthly and $500
deposit with month to month lease. Call 209.966.6748 for additional information (C. Baker - 7/12) ____________________________________________________
TONIGHT: The El Portal Town Planning Advisory Committee will meet Tuesday July 12. (M. Ross - 7/11) ____________________________________________________
Salute to Our Veterans & Live the Legend Events Be sure and come by the Coulterville Park on Saturday, July 16, 2011. Two events are taking place concurrently: "A Salute to Our Veterans" that kicks off the morning promptly at 9 a.m. followed immediately by the rain delayed “John Muir Festival”. VFW Post 9454 has graciously invited the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce to share the day and make it an even bigger and better event.
Salute to our Veterans
The Mariposa Post – VFW Post Honor Guard will raise the American Flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at 9:00 A.M. VFW. There will be short program with a number of speakers including Chaplain Jeannie Nebel and an American Indian Veterans blessing conducted by Alberto Forgoso followed by a Lakota Sundancer who is an Iraq veteran. Jerry Progner, Commander of Post 9454 in Coulterville will welcome everyone and make a short
presentation. Everyone is invited to attend with a special inviatation to
our Veterans and their families. The booths will be open immediately after. A Veterans Benefits and Claims Officer will be on hand for VA
Compensation for Disabilities, and VA Health Care Enrollment. Louis
Bickford, State of California Veteran of Foreign Wars Field Service Officer at Large for American Indian Veteran’s Outreach; First Nations Veteran’s Service Organization National Director and Service Officer will be also be
available throughout the day. The Coulterville Women’s VFW Auxiliary will
have a booth with homemade items for sale to raise money to help our veterans. All vets will receive a free tri-tip sandwich! Price to others is $7.50. Hot dogs and refreshments are also available. La Grange resident Pete Moon is head chef.
Live the Legend
The John Muir Event is a family friendly festival celebrating Muir's great contribution to promoting the idea that wilderness has a spiritual value, as well as an economic one.
In addition to booths filled with art, much of it focusing on the local region, including Art Spirit, Photography Landscapes, Stone Creek Galley, Photo Op and Sierra Art, there’ll be Kettle Korn as well as jewelry and other items of interest including Talsky's Gems and More, Jewelry Scape, Family Treasures, All About Wine and Wine Barrel Creations.
Representatives from the Groveland Kiwanis Club as well as representatives from Martinez, CA. the National Historic Site of John Muir's Home.
Killin’ Time, a popular local band, will liven up the park with their great country sounds. Be sure and bring your children as there will be a petting zoo and pony rides! Children’s games, demonstrations, art activities and information related to the John Muir Legacy will also be taking place at Coulterville’s Demonstration Garden from 9 am – 4 pm, at the Coulterville
Fire Station at Hwy 49 & J 132. The members of the Coulterville Fire
Brigade, Mariposa County Fire Fighters Stations 26 & 31 and the Mariposa County Master Gardeners will conduct tours of the newly landscaped garden and explain plans for future development. Please plan to join us to honor both our veterans and this great man. For more information contact Joy Kitchel, Coulterville Visitor Center, 209-878-3074, coultervillevc@sti.net . (M. Tanner - 7/11)
