Yosemite Fires – August 30, 2010

The lightning caused fires of July and August continue to burn in Yosemite wilderness and are being managed for multiple objectives. This means fire managers and firefighters may use less aggressive or minimal actions where the fire is accomplishing benefits on the land. For example, the fire may burn the understory of trees, ridding the area of accumulations of dead and down vegetation.

In wilderness areas, Minimum Impact Management Tactics (MIMT) are utilized by using natural barriers of rock and lakes, or utilizing trails and past fires thereby lessening the use of aggressive hand tools, i.e. chain saws. Utilizing the minimal tool and natural features further reduces the work needed to rehabilitate the fire area. Firefighters do this without diverting their attention from the safety of themselves or the public. These adjustments firefighters make to effect minimum resource impacts are essential if the spirit of wilderness and National Parks is to be maintained.

New Fire: Cloud (37 46.208x119 29.046; 9,500’ el., Mariposa Co.) This fire was found by a hiker August 30, 2010. The 20’x60’ fire has been determined to be human caused (escaped campfire) by firefighters on scene, and will be suppressed under a “confine and contain” strategy. The fire is east/southeast of Cloud’s Rest, and smoke was visible from Glacier Point and other park locations. To all campers and backpackers, please be sure your campfire is dead-out, by drowning your fire with water before leaving your campsites.

Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co). The Slope fire is at 1007 acres. The fire activity was low to moderate in spread, and growth, due to much cooler temperatures. Fifty percent of the perimeter is active, most to the northeast. It continues to burn in brush, timber and heavy accumulations of dead and down vegetation, through an area with no recorded fire history. This lightning caused fire began July 25. Light smoke is visible along Tioga Rd, White Wolf area, O’Shaughnessy Dam of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Rancheria trail area, and in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Six firefighters are assigned.The fire has crossed the trail from Harden Lake to Pate Valley and is adjacent to all other trails to Pate Valley. Consequently the decision was made by Wilderness and Fire Management officers to close all trails in the area to Pate Valley from White Wolf for safety to hikers and backpackers.

Vernon: (37 59.813 x 119 43.618; approximately 7000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire has grown to approximately 395 acres. It is creeping through brush and timber, with flanking and backing movement to the southeast. Sixty percent of the perimeter is active. This lightning caused fire is in designated wilderness, and will be managed for multiple objectives, primarily forest restoration. It is approximately three miles north of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and one half mile south of Lake Vernon. There is significant lightning caused fire history near this fire; the most recent being the 2006 Frog, and the 2005 Wapama fires. Five firefighters are assigned. The fire has crossed the trail to Lake Vernon from the Tiltill Valley Junction from the south and is closed. Cooperators for both the Vernon and Slope fires include the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District.

The weekend’s unseasonable cold trough has aided in dispersing smoke, and will continue to influence the fire areas through August 31. A return of a high pressure ridge will then bring higher temperatures and poor dispersion of smoke until the Labor Day Holiday weekend, when cooler weather is predicted.

“The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public, communities and infrastructure, conserve natural and cultural resources and restore and maintain ecological health.”

For Additional Information:

Fire Information and Education Office: (209) 372-0480

Fire Activity Online: Fire