Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. AREAS OF SMOKE. HIGHS 82 TO 92 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY... 63 TO 73 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.TONIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 46 TO 56 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...37 TO 47 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
.WEDNESDAY...SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 84 TO
94 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...64 TO 74 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN CLEARING. LOWS 47 TO
57 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...37 TO 47 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.THURSDAY...SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 83 TO
93 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...63 TO 73 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west
between 8 and 11 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 55. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph
becoming east northeast.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west
between 10 and 13 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 54. North wind between 6 and 11
mph.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west
between 10 and 13 mph.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
YARTS: I will be in the office until 5 pm on Tuesday and 4 pm on Wednesday
for anyone that still needs to pick up July vouchers. Then the vouchers
will be available in Suzanne's office again on Monday. My office is in the
Valley Administration building at the top of the stairs. (W. Malone -
7/1/08)
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Safety, Health & Environmental Office Training Announcement
Date: July 1, 2008
Time: 07:30 - 16:30
Location: Large Break Room, El Portal complex
Topics and intended audience:
Basic Safety Awareness Training 07:30 – 12:00
All Yosemite Seasonal employees should receive this safety awareness
training. Target Divisions: Administration, Business & Revenue
Management, Interpretation & Education, Resource Management & Science
and Facility Management.
Safety Awareness Training continued 12:30 – 16:30
Seasonal employees in the Divisions of Facility Maintenance &
Resource Management & Science will continue with more specific safety
awareness training to finish out the day.
Awareness Topics will include: Incident Reporting, JHA, Hazcom, Hantavirus,
Heat Stress, Poison Oak, PPE, Back safety awareness, Ergonomics, and
Hearing Conservation.
Call Claudine Ronay at 379-1072 to register for training (R. Farmer -
6/30/08)
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The Chowchilla Mountain Road is closed from the Wawona Golf Course to the
Yosemite NP boundary due to the wild fires in Mariposa County. (M. Dowdle -
6/24/08)
New Today
Fires near Yosemite National Park
Updated fire information is available on the web:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/conditions/index.shtml
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/conditions/2008-fires.shtml
The following link really shows the amount of fire (and smoke) that the
state is experiencing
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/index.php?subset=AERONET_Fres...
(Thanks to Deb Schweizer in SEKI for that tidbit and for doing the math!)
(A. Freeman - 6/30/08)
*************************************************
Information from: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/#
Fire Information Report for North Mountain
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 01-JUL-08
Burnt Area:|2,697 Acres
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Location:|Tuolumne County, CA (North Mountain 7mi NE of
|Groveland)
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Cause:|Lightning
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Incident Team Type:|IMT Type 2
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Team Leader:|Ron Woychak
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Containment Status:|35% contained
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Expected|Unknown
Containment:|
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Fuels:|Heavy Brush and Timber Extreme 2950000.00 994PRIM
Fire report information is based on the most recent Incident Management
Situation Report (IMSR) provided by the National Interagency Fire Center
and is subject to change. The USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing
Applications Center is not responsible for the accuracy of this
information.
Fire Information Report for Oliver
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 01-JUL-08
Burnt Area:|2,789 Acres (7% increase from yesterday)
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Location:|Mariposa County, CA (NORTH OF PONDEROSA BASIN)
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Cause:|Lightning
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Incident Team Type:|IMT Type D
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Team Leader:|BILL HODSON ICT #6
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Containment Status:|65% contained
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Expected|05-JUL-08
Containment:|
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Fuels:|Mixed timber, heavy brush, jackpots of h 0.00
|2592PRIM
Fire Information Report for Silver Complex
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 01-JUL-08
Burnt Area:|1,111 Acres (3% increase from yesterday)
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Location:|Madera And Mariposa County, CA (FISH CAMP TO THE
|MERCED RIVER)
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Cause:|Lightning
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Incident Team Type:|IMT Type 3
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Team Leader:|ERICKSON SMITH
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Containment Status:|92% contained
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Expected|04-JUL-08
Containment:|
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Fuels:|Mixed timber, heavy br 0.00 772
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Food Purchases - Use of Third Party Drafts - Please do not attempt to
purchase food by use of a third party draft or to reimburse an individual
for the purchase of food using a third party draft. Food cannot be
purchased by third party draft except in very specific instances. The
major exception is for emergency incident operations. If you have question
on allowable third party draft payments, please call me. (T. Pimentel -
7/1/08)
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Balanced Rock Foundation is seeking a Program Director. The position is 10
months annually. Balanced Rock offers enriching programs for the mind, body
and spirit in and around Yosemite National Park. These journeys foster
individual well being, support the health of our community and environment,
and forge a deep connection to the natural world. Our course schedule
consists of predominantly backcountry trips of 3 to 10 days in length that
include a reflective element such as yoga, meditation or journal writing.
The Program Director (PD) position provides the opportunity for a strong
self-starter to develop and run current and new programs for the
organization. The PD would be responsible for laying the foundation for
systems to be put in place for 2009 and beyond.
Balanced Rock is seeking an individual who:
Can represent the core values of the organization of mindfulness,
healthful living, and compassion.
Is comfortable working independently in a dynamic start-up environment.
Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills.
Possesses strong organizational skills and is proficient with Microsoft
Word, Outlook, and Excel.
This position is open until filled. Balanced Rock will begin reviewing
applications in mid-July. The targeted start date is mid-September.
To apply, please submit the following items as soon as possible:
A cover letter describing your interests and qualifications in the
position and the impact you made in your most significant work
related accomplishment.
Current resume
Mail or email these to:
Kendra Kurihara
P O Box 102
El Portal, CA 95318
Kendra@balancedrockfoundation.org
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PRESS RELEASE
06/27/2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces State Route 140 Is Now Open to All Vehicles
at Yosemite National Park
Caltrans Bridge Project Completed Early and in Time for July 4th Holiday
Travel
Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Essential
Access Interim Bridge Project, opening State Route 140 (SR-140) to all
vehicles. Prior to today, vehicles longer than 28 feet, including tour
buses, school buses and some emergency vehicles could not access this main
all weather route into Yosemite National Park.
"These new bridges mean that Yosemite tour buses, school buses, delivery
trucks and emergency vehicles will have the access they need to ensure
economic prosperity, public safety and normal daily life in this
community," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Finishing ahead of schedule and
in time for the July 4th weekend, this is great news for area residents and
to Californians planning to visit this national treasure."
The $8 million project installed two new interim bridges to allow vehicles
up to 45-feet long access to the temporary bypass while the Permanent
Restoration Project is developed for SR-140. Opening this important
transportation link to large vehicles will enhance the economic vitality of
the surrounding area, benefit tourism and restore this all weather route to
Yosemite National Park.
SR-140 in Mariposa County is an important all-weather transportation link
for Yosemite National Park. Governor Schwarzenegger issued an emergency
proclamation after unusually heavy rains triggered a major landslide at
Ferguson Ridge in Mariposa County. Caltrans worked to establish one-way
traffic along SR-140, but the Ferguson slide became active and buried the
entire route on May 25, 2006 resulting in the closure of SR-140 at that
location. The two temporary bridges used until today were then installed
allowing vehicles up to 28-feet in length to access SR-140 to Yosemite
National Park, expediting the opening of SR-140.
The after effects of the landslide were devastating to the area. Hundreds
of large tour buses that are the lifeblood of the local economy had to find
alternate, longer routes into Yosemite National Park. As a result, many
area businesses have closed, delivery costs increased and sales tax
revenues went down 22 percent.
Construction News
Reconstruct El Portal Road at the “narrows”
There will be construction activity causing delays at night which will be
coordinated with the Valley Loop Road project.
Final paving is delayed until electrical repairs are completed (G. Rothell
- 6/30/08)
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North and Southside Drive Rehabilitation
*June 29th(Sunday Night) thru July 3rd at 12:00 Noon*
-Southside Drive between Pohono Bridge and Wawona Road---Crews scheduled to
begin striping, continue shoulder backfilling and work around culvert
inlets and outlets.
-Southside Drive between Wawona Road and El Capitan Crossover-- During the
day crews will be intermittently working in one lane as traffic flows in
the other. During the night crews will be closing Southside Drive between
Wawona Road and El Capitan Crossover between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Traffic
will be detoured with pilot car operations. The work includes excavation
and grading for the curb installation.
-Northside Drive between El Capitan Picnic Area and Pohono Bridge--During
the day crews will be intermittently working in one lane as traffic flows
in the other while they complete headwalls/curb work.
*July 6th (Sunday Night) thru August 31st*
-Southside Drive between Wawona Road and El Capitan Crossover-- During the
day crews will be intermittently working in one lane as traffic flows in
the other. During the night crews will be closing Southside Drive between
Wawona Road and El Capitan Crossover between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Traffic
will be detoured with pilot car operations. The work includes pulverizing
the mainline road, grading and curb installation and then paving.
Starting the night of July 6th there will be another period of time when
daytime traffic will be driving on nonpavement, so please slow down while
driving thru these areas.
-Northside Drive between El Capitan Picnic Area and Pohono Bridge--During
the day crews will be intermittently working in one lane as traffic flows
in the other while they complete headwall/curb work.
Big Oak Flat Road Sealing
June 27th thru July 15th crews will be working nights (8:00 PM and 6:00 AM,
with one-way traffic and up to 15-minute delays) grinding, striping,
microseal patch repairs, and placement of centerline markers on the Big Oak
Flat Road between El Portal Road and Hodgdon Meadows Entrance. There will
be intermittent 5-minute delays during the day with some of the striping
work. (M. Pieper - 6/30/08)
Announcements
A good deal of speeding has been observed lately on Foresta Road in El
Portal, by both private and government vehicles. This road has a 25
miles-per-hour speed limit, and is heavily used by your neighbors and
co-workers for walking, biking, and jogging. Pedestrians and speeding
vehicles don't go well together! Beginning Friday, June 27, traffic
enforcement will be intensified on Foresta Road, from the warehouse through
old El Portal. Please drive slowly and always keep an eye out for
pedestrians. (B. Bonner - 6/27/08)
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This year is Yosemite’s 29th year of summer sign language interpretation
for Deaf visitors. If you see any Deaf visitors in the park, please assist
the Deaf Services Coordinator in keeping statistics by calling 372-0296.
Feel free to encourage Deaf visitors to contact the sign language
interpreter through the visitor center. (On behalf of Kara Stella, Deaf
Services Coordinator S. Dunham - 6/30/08)
*************************************************
Scrap Metal Bins: Just a Reminder - The Scrap Metal Bins are for metal not
wood,cement, plastic, or any other type of material. We have been getting
alot of complaints from the contractor about the type of material he has
been seeing, in the bins. So please if you would take the time to seperate
your materials and don't use the large container as a catch all. Thank
you. (D. Miller - 6/30/08)
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Contracting Office Closure - Please be advised that the Contracting and
Procurement office will be closed for internal administrative operations
every Wednesday beginning 25 June through the end of the fiscal year. If
you experience an unexpected, urgent situation, please contact Dan Sohn at
379-1173. (L. Schafer - 6/20/08)
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The Yosemite Research Library will only be open Tuesdays and Thursdays
until July 10th. (L. Eade - 6/25/08)
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The following Yosemite National Park employees have been approved for
participation in the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
Linda Kelly
If you are interested in contributing annual leave to any of the above
individuals, please do so by completing a Request to donate Annual Leave to
Leave Recipient (Within Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, Optional
Form 630-A (OF 639-A).
Please forward your OF 630-A to:
Human Resources Office
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 700
El Portal, CA 95318
or fax to (209) 379-1800
Click HERE for more Information on the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program.
(H. Whitman - 6/9/08)
HR Corner
Detail/Temporary Promotion or Critical Need Hire Opportunity: Legal
Instruments Examiner, GS-06
An opportunity exists in the Division of Visitor Protection, Law
Enforcement Office for a detail/temporary promotion (if qualified) up to
120 days or if currently a non-status applicant (critical need hire not to
exceed 30 days with a 30 day extension possible).
The incumbent will provide primary support services to the Prosecutor/legal
officer of the Law Enforcement Office (LEO) and as such, will work with
legal and technical documents which support the criminal processes for
Yosemite cases.
Duties will include:
Examining legal documents for accuracy, facial errors and sufficiency of
probably cause, documents may include criminal complaints, criminal
citations, criminal reports, interrogatory responses, affidavits, etc.
Completing required electronic and/or direct filing. May recommend
appropriate disposition action;
Preparing Discovery for prosecution of cases in accordance with Federal
Criminal Procedure and Rules. Preparing reports on the status and final
disposition of all appearance violations, misdemeanor, and felony court
cases processed. Recording case adjudication information, continuances,
pleadings and submit final fingerprint cards to CA Department of
Justice/FBI records.
Preparing a variety of legal documents, verifying legal case citations,
references and providing legal technician services to the Prosecutor;
Coordinating the recording and transmittal of legal documents with support
staff, various Federal Courts, Solicitors, and U.S. Attorney offices
engaged in Yosemite case litigation;
Preparing correspondence for the YNP Legal office to other legal offices
and courts;
Maintaining central files for all warrants, records of probation, and
service requests including subpoenas and proof of service documents, and
returns completed proof-of-service forms to the issuing jurisdiction;
Maintaining a statistical data gathering and retrieval system.
Interested candidates should submit their resume and SF-50 (if currently a
YOSE employee) to Irma Keheley in Human Resources, by close of business
July 2. For additional information regarding this position contact:
Charles Cuvelier or Jodi Gover at 372-0245. (I. Keheley - 6/26/08)
Community News
Would you like the work in Yosemite and work on your degree? Then, mark
your calendars - July 16 from 4- 8PM, there will be several colleges here
to share information about their Distance Learning Programs. Come to the
Valley Elementary school basketball courts and visit with the school
representatives. So far there will be Western Governor’s University, Taft
College, University of Phoenix, Rio Hondo, CSU-Dominguez Hills, and more
have been inquiring. A BBQ Dinner will be available for $3.00. For more
information contact J. Barker @ 372-1115. (W. Kearns - 6/30/08)
Acting Designation
Mike Beasley will be the acting Chief Fire Management Officer while I am on
a fire assignment in southern California. Steve Shackelton will be acting
as the Park Aviation Officer while I am gone. Please contact Mike or Steve
for fire and aviation related needs. (K. Martin - 7/1/08)
*************************************************
Glen Rothell will be Acting Division Chief for Project Management July 10th
& 11th. You may phone Glen in his El Portal office at 379-1139 or you may
phone him in his Valley office at 372-0429, or you may leave a message with
Doyle Harrison at 379-1202. Mark Butler will be Acting Division Chief of
Project Management July 14th thru the 18th. You may phone Mark at 379-1171
or you may leave a message with Sarah Henderson at 379-1002. Randy Fong
will be Acting Division Chief July 21st thru the 24th. You may phone Randy
at 379-1022 or you may leave a message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221.
Glen Rothell will be Acting Division Chief of Project Management July 25th.
You may phone Glen at his El Portal office at 379-1139 or his Valley office
at 372-0429. You may also leave a message with Doyle Harrison at 379-1202.
(D.Harrison - 7/1/08)
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Leslie Reynolds will be the acting Operations Branch Chief Sun-Thurs
(6/27-7/3) while I am on detail at DEPO. An alternate number where I can
be reached if necessary is 760-934-8100. (C. Cuvelier - 6/30/08)
*************************************************
Bret Meldrum (379-1216) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science for the week of June 30. (N. Nicholas - 6/30/08)
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Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be acting branch chief for Vegetation and
Restoration July 1-3. (J. Weaser - 6/30/08)
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Sue Clark will be acting as Permits Program Manager for the branch of
Special Park Uses while Chris Jefferson is out of the park on fire (approx.
7-10 days starting 6/27/08). (W. Malone - 6/27/08)
*************************************************
Bernadette Barthelenghi will be Acting Branch Chief of Design for Project
Management July 1st. You may phone Bernadette at 379-1025 or you may leave
a message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (D.Harrison - 6/20/08)
*************************************************
Rodney Raines is now acting Wawona Utilities supervisor until further
notice. He can be reached at 375-9510 or leave a message with Shawnessy.
(K. Bablitch - 5/28/08)
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