Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, July 3, 2008 - Take care and see you all back Monday.
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY...BREEZY. HIGHS 83 TO 93 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...63 TO
73 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 46 TO 56 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...36 TO 46 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.INDEPENDENCE DAY...SUNNY...WINDY. HIGHS 78 TO 88 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...58
TO 68 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. BREEZY. LOWS 44 TO 54 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...33 TO 43 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.SATURDAY...SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. WINDY. HIGHS
81 TO 91 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...60 TO 70 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. WINDY. LOWS 43 TO 53 IN
YOSEMITE VALLEY...34 TO 44 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. HIGHS 83 TO 93 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...61 TO 71 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 47 TO 57 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...39 TO 49 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
.MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. HIGHS 88 TO 98 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...66 TO 76 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. LOWS 49 TO 59 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...42 TO 52 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming
west southwest between 10 and 13 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 54. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north.
Independence Day: Sunny, with a high near 90. North northeast wind 5 to 14
mph becoming west.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 10 mph
becoming north northeast.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind 7 to 13 mph becoming
west southwest.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 55.
Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Campground Openings: Bridalveil Creek Campground and Porcupine Flat
Campground will open for the season on July 3, 2008. All Yosemite
Campgrounds are now open. (M. Carter - 7/3/08)
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FARMSTAND AT SAL’S
Beginning July 3rd (this week)
Fresh Semi-Local Produce will be available from 5 p.m. until we sell out.
This week we have figs, grapefruit, organges, apricots, potatoes, kale,
dried herbs.
Where does this food come from?
Paloma Pollinators - At Paloma Pollinators we strive for universal health
through food production in Amador and Calaveras counties. We spend our
time producing the highest quality vegetables for your consumption. We
accomplish this without pesticides, herbicides or petro-fertilizers. Our
goal is to provide you with the freshest seasonal produce on the path
towards individual and planetary health.
Mtn. Meadows Farm (starting July 17)
Community Supported Agriculture – Fresh Local Seasonal Food
Located in Mariposa, CA
Contact: Heather Sullivan 379-2826; heathasulli@yahoo.com
All those involved with this farmstand are volunteering for the benefit of
the El Portal community. This service will be available only as community
interest and participation exist. (H. Sullivan - 7/3/08)
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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
Information from: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/#
Fire Information Report for North Mountain
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 03-JUL-08
Burnt Area:|2,711 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:|75% contained
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Expected|03-JUL-08
Containment:|
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Fuels:|Heavy Brush and Timber Extreme 0.00 988PRIM
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: 03-JUL-08
Burnt Area:|2,789 Acres
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Location:|Mariposa County, CA (NORTH OF PONDEROSA BASIN)
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Cause:|Lightning
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Incident Team Type:|IMT Type D
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Team Leader:|BILL HODSON ICT #6
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Containment Status:|80% contained
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Expected|05-JUL-08
Containment:|
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Fuels:|Mixed timber, heavy brush, jackpots of h 0.00
|1436PRIM
Fire Information Report for Silver Complex
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 03-JUL-08
Burnt Area:|1,161 Acres
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
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:|100% contained
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Expected|Unknown
Containment:|
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
Fuels:|Mixed timber, heavy brush, poc 0.00 487
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Detail/Temporary Promotion Opportunity: Human Resources Assistant,
GS-0203-06
An opportunity exists for permanent career/career-conditional employees of
Yosemite National Park in the Human Resources Office for a detail/temporary
promotion (if qualified) up to 120 days.
The selectee will provide administrative support to the Human Resources
Office with an opportunity to perform less technical functions in the areas
of Staffing, Classification, Benefits, and Processing.
Duties may include:
Assisting with the e-OPF project
Processing personnel actions
Preparing in-processing packets
Consolidating Official Personnel Folders
Purging Official Personnel Folders
Calculating service comp dates
Act as receptionist for the office, greeting visitors/customers
Interested candidates should submit their resume to Irma Keheley in Human
Resources by close of business July 10. Please have your supervisor's
approval. For additional information regarding this position, please
contact Heather Whitman at 379-1810. (H. Whitman - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
Please join us for this month's Yosemite Forum, Tuesday, July 8, 12 - 1 p.m
in the Valley Auditorium
Dr. Steve Martel from the University of Hawaii will present "Formation of
Rock Fractures and How They Affect the Yosemite
Landscape."
Join Dr. Steve Martel for an explanation of how sheeting joints form. Also
known as "exfoliation joints", these are the prominent
rock fractures that have controlled the development of Yosemite's domes and
cliffs. Sheeting joints also play a key role in rockfalls and
shallow groundwater flow. Dr. Martel will discuss his current research,
which provides a new testable explanation for how sheeting joints form and
the role they play in shaping the Yosemite landscape. (B. Kuhn/K. Hughes -
7/3/08)
*************************************************
Tuesday, July 8: Public meeting for the Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Assessment for Yosemite National Park - Although the El
Portal Town Planning Committee meeting has been cancelled, a public meeting
and presentation on the Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental
Assessment, which was on the agenda for the previously scheduled meeting,
will still take place. Park specialists will present an informative slide
presentation and take your questions regarding the plan. Please join us at
the Clark Community Hall in El Portal from 7:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, July 8
to find out more about the battle against invasive plants in Yosemite and
the alternatives proposed in the plan. Copies of the plan and comment
forms will be available.The public comment period on the Environmental
Assessment runs from June 13, 2008 through July 13, 2008. (P. Meierding -
7/3/08)
*************************************************
Safety, Health & Environmental Office Training Announcement
Date: July 9, 2008
Time: 08:00 - 16:00
Location: Community Center, Wawona
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. (R. Farmer - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
Passing of a former employee
Friends,
Mead Hargis died quietly on June 18, 2008 in Salt Lake City after an
extended illness. Mead and his wife, Tina, were Little Yosemite Valley
Rangers in the early 1980s and Tuolumne Rangers (both summer and winter) in
the late 1980s. A celebration of his vibrant life has been planned for
Saturday, August 16th, at 4 pm at Mono Lake County Park near Lee Vining,
CA. If you plan to attend the memorial celebration, please RSVP to
MeadHargisMemorial@gmail.. This mailbox will also be used to coordinate
ride sharing, lodging, and contributions to the outdoor dinner. The
celebration will include an outdoor dinner with warm dishes catered, and
side dishes and desserts contributed by Mead's friends who live in the
area. We hope you'll be able to attend and share stories about Mead's life.
We have set up a web site where you can post your memories and photos of
Mead. This website will be a huge comfort to Mead's partner Connie and his
two daughters, Heather and Laurel (George). There will be updates about the
memorial celebration on the website. The website is
http://meadhargis.last-memories.com. Some images are not visible in
Firefox, so we recommend that you use Internet Explorer. (L. Chow - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
Mountain Sage Yoga - Saturday, July 5th
In the Stage Area - $10 per person - 8:30 to 10:00 AM
There was an enthusiastic response to last week's yoga, so we shall try to
get in as many sessions as possible this summer! Note the start time is
1/2 hour later (8:30 AM). Hope to see you there!
Get your day started off right with a flow led by Jon-Paul Salonen of Blue
Oak Ayurveda. JP weaves flows that are strengthening and relaxing, that
foster balance and focus. Come savor the delicious morning air with
conscious breathing! (Mtn. Sage - 7/3/08)
Park News
Bear Facts June 22 - June 28, 2008
Bears Hit by Vehicles Year to Date = 7
Yosemite Valley Incidents this week
Campgrounds | 1 | $20
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Parking lots | 6 | $1460
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Other (concession | 5 | $95
facilities and residential | |
areas) | |
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Total | 12 | $1,575
Backcountry Incidents this week
LYV/Moraine Dome | 0 | $0
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Glen Aulin | 0 | $0
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Other Areas | 0 | $0
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Total | 0 | $0
All Areas Yearly Total
Campgrounds | 23 | $919
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Parking lots | 59 | $22,485
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Other (concession | 35 | $1,821
facilities and residential | |
areas) | |
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Backcountry | 4 | $48
------------------------------+---------+-----------
Total | 121 | $25,273
* There have been 16 incidents involving bears obtaining food from
overflowing trashcans or unclipped dumpsters in addition to the incidents
listed above.
Comparisons Year to Date
| 1998 | 2008 | Percent | 2007 | 2008 | Percent
| | | Change | | | Change
--------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------------
Incidents | 384 | 121 | -68.49% | 117 | 121 | 3.41%
--------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------------
Damage | $178,737 | $25,273 | -85.86% | $16,135 | $25,273 | 56.63%
Parking lots, particularly at Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4, have seen regular
bear activity this week with car break-ins on a nightly basis. A sow with
two cubs has been very active in Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp
obtaining food from unlatched food storage lockers. Multiple other bears
have been observed in the Pines campgrounds, Curry Village, Housekeeping
Camp, and near the Ahwahnee Hotel. More bear sightings have been reported
this week at Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp and backpackers camp, and in
Little Yosemite Valley.
Do you have bear sightings or incidents? Please call the save-a-bear
hotline and leave a message (209) 372-0322. (T. Seher - 7/2/08)
*************************************************
Yosemite Fire Information Update #1
July 1, 2008
Two fires are currently burning in Yosemite National Park.
The North Mountain Fire is located in Tuolumne County and began on
Saturday, June 21, 2008 in the Stanislaus National Forest. It is burning in
the area near North Mountain and along the northern side of the Tuolumne
River. It is currently about 2,750 acres, including approximately 750 acres
in Yosemite National Park west of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Initial
containment was hampered by a lack of crew resources, but good progress is
being made now on the north and east flanks, where the fire continues to
spread slowly into the park.
The entire fire area is within the 1996 Ackerson Fire footprint. In the
park, the current effects of the fire are desirable as they help create and
maintain forest diversity. Prescribed burning done jointly between the
U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service prior to the Ackerson
Fire left a considerable amount of intact timber in this area and the
current fire is burning primarily in the understory, maintaining positive
ecosystem conditions.
The Blue Fire is located in Mariposa County. It is burning along Yosemite
Creek approximately 3/4 of a mile north of the confluence of Blue Jay Creek
and Yosemite Creek. The park is currently using natural barriers to contain
the fire at less than 10 acres.
Visitors and residents may see smoke from this fire from the Tioga Road.
There are currently no closures in Yosemite National Park due to either
fire.
Areas of smoke may exist due to the cumulative effects of fires in the
area. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize
smoke impacts. People with respiratory problems should use caution when
exerting themselves in smoky areas. Areas of smoke may limit visibility and
drivers are advised to watch for equipment and personnel on roadways.
Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire has
information about fire activity and air quality conditions in Yosemite.
For information about other fires burning on the Sierra and Stanislaus
National Forests, please contact:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/conditions/2008-fires.shtml or
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/conditions/index.shtml
Information about the Oliver Fire can be found at www.calfire.ca.gov. (A.
Freeman - 7/1/08)
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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The Yosemite Research Library will only be open Tuesdays and Thursdays
until July 10th. (L. Eade - 6/25/08)
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Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
*************************************************
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)
Community News
Granite Frontiers
The Yosemite Climbing Association is hosting its second exhibit in the
valley museum. Over the last six months we have been working very hard in
conjunction with Park Service to put together this show, which focuses on
the last 140 years of Yosemite's climbing history. Through much support
from The Yosemite Fund and Royal Robbins, Inc. we have been able to achieve
success in putting this project together.
It's been a long road with many bumps and detours but we've come out with
much to show for it and we hope you can all share this with us. So, please
come ready to learn learn a little history and share in the celebration!The
exhibit is open 10-Noon and 1-4 from June 7th - October 27th in the
Yosemite Valley Museum Gallery. (K. Yager - 6/10/08)
*************************************************
1st Aid and CPR classes are still available through the Yosemite Medical
Clinic(372-4637). We have 1st aid with CPR classes at the clinic on July
3rd, and July 15th. 1st Aid with CPR classes are available in El Portal on
July 10th, and July 30th. Healthcare Providers can renew their
certification at the Clinic on July 11th at 1600 or take thier initial
class on July 25th. Brian Shoor will be on vacation until June 24th and can
be contacted at shoors@sti.net. (B. Shoor - 6/10/08)
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6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. We are the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and are supported by the California Arts Council, the National Endowment
for the Arts, SierraTel, the James Irvine Foundation, Mariposa County, and
the Geoff and Josie Fox Family Foundation, a Donor Advised fund of the
Silicon Valley Community Foundation. We are also generously supported by
Iron Mountain Systems and Stonecutter.com. The views expressed by the
films, in print materials, or by discussion facilitators are not
necessarily those of these sponsors.
Monthly membership is $12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay
$7 per film, and non-member students pay $5. Recorded Information:
(209)966-1333. Staff: 209 742-6666. http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org .
E-mail us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
NO FILM THIS WEEKEND - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY FROM YOUR SOURCE FOR
INDEPENDENT FILMS!
Upcoming Films: July is Musical Month!
Bride and Prejudice, July 11-12 (A Bollywood adaptation)
Across the Universe, July 18-19 (Redux...due to popular demand)
Sweeney Todd, July 25-26 (Barberian?) (T. Arfsten - 7/2/08)
Acting Designation
Alan Hawksley will be Acting Branch Chief of Buildings and Grounds, July
3-4, 2008. He can be reached at 379-1278 or you can leave a message with
Rhonda Soden at 379-1059.
Dan Benitag will be Acting Branch Chief of Buildings and Grounds on July 5,
2008. He can be reached at 372-0533.
Ken Stowell will be Acting Branch Chief of Buildings and Grounds on July 6,
2008. He can be reached at 372-0533. (R. Soden - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
Bret Meldrum is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology & Archeology on
Thursday, July 3. (L. Kirn - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes on Thursday July 3rd, Monday July 7th and Tuesday
July 8th. (D. Humphrey - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
Ken Fipps will be on leave until July 14th. I will respond when I return,
if you need immediate assistance please contact Dan Sohn at 379-1173. (K.
Fipps - 7/3/08)
*************************************************
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)
*************************************************
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)
*************************************************
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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