Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming west between 6 and 9
mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. West wind around 6 mph
becoming east southeast.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph becoming
southwest.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. West southwest wind
around 7 mph becoming southeast.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 7 to 14 mph becoming
southwest. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west between 6 and 9
mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 52. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph
becoming east.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93. East southeast wind 7 to 9 mph
becoming south southwest.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southwest wind around
6 mph becoming east southeast.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 7 to 11 mph becoming west
southwest.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 8
mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph
becoming east.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East southeast wind 6 to 9 mph
becoming southwest.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West southwest wind
around 6 mph becoming east southeast.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 11 mph becoming west
southwest.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Happening Today (see Community News below for other events happening today)
Hazard Tree Removal - LYV: Monday 6/21 through Thursday, 6/24: NPS Forestry
crews will be conducting hazard tree removal in Little Yosemite Valley
Campground and ranger supply camp areas. Campers may be asked to relocate
within the campground. Disturbance from running chain saws should be
expected Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:30am to 5:00pm (L. Castro - 6/18/10)
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Big Oak Flat Road Forestry Work: Contractors will continue tree hazard
cleanup along the Big Oak Flat Road near Big Meadow Overlook. Intermittent
one-lane traffic control is anticipated with brief delays. (B. Mattos -
6/22/10)
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This week is Lightning Safety Week:
Lightning: What You Need to Know:
NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!
If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter.
Safe shelter is a substantial building or inside an enclosed,
metal-topped vehicle.
Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap
of thunder.

Indoor Lightning Safety Tips
Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that
put you in direct contact with electricity.
Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.
Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete
walls.

Outdoor Lightning Safety Tips

If there is no safe shelter anywhere nearby:
Seek lower elevation areas.
Never use a tree for shelter.
Immediately get out and away from pools, lakes and other bodies of
water.
Stay away from all metallic objects (fences, power lines, poles,
etc.).
Do not raise umbrellas or golf clubs above you

For more information, go to http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ .
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Construction Update:
**For all road construction information and updates, visit the park's
website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm (M. Ortiz -
6/22/10)

Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010):
*Today's locations of work: Today, contractors will be installing curb
in the 5 mile section that begins 1 mile north of the Wawona Campground
and runs north. They will also be surveying in the 2 mile section south
of the Wawona Tunnel and installing string line for curbing in the 6
mile section south of the Glacier Point Road intersection (Chinquapin).
*Tonight's locations of work: Tonight, they will installing culverts,
installing underdrain crossings, and grinding pavement for a water line
in the 6 mile sections south of and north of the Glacier Point Road
intersection (Chinquapin).
*Wednesday's locations of work (June 23) On Wednesday, they will be
installing curb in the 5 mile section that begins 1 mile north of the
Wawona Campground and runs north.

**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are
numerous unpaved surfaces.

For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 6/22/10)
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Tioga Road Pavement Borings(June 7 - July 1, 2010) [Weather and conditions
permitting]
Beginning Monday, June 7 crews began pavement borings on the Tioga Road
between Crane Flat and Tuolumne Campground with up to 15-minute traffic
delays, Monday through Friday with no weekend delays. This work is being
conducted in preparation for a future rehabilitation project.
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Barite Mine Work in El Portal (May 25 - July 4, 2010 )
Contractors are working on mitigating hazards at the Barite Mine in El
Portal. The prime contractor is Sygnos, and Arizona Mine Reclamation is a
sub-contractor. Rancheria Flat residents may see contractor vehicles parked
at the top of the housing area, near the water tank; contractors have been
asked to drive carefully in the housing areas. This Recovery Act-funded
project is expected to be complete by July 4. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact Joe Meyer at 379-1185.
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Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (ongoing)
Mozingo (contractor) has a very small crew working in the park this week
doing clean up and punch list work related to the Ahwahnee lift station.
Because of high water levels other work related to the utility project is
on hold. (M. Ortiz - 6/22/10)
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Wawona Tunnel (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction is continuing work on the fire alarm systems and
fans in the Wawona Tunnel. (M. Ortiz - 6/22/10)
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Tecoya Housing (ongoing)
Allison Sierra will be doing some cleanup work in the Lower Tecoya area but
wont be doing any excavating for a couple weeks due to high water levels.
(M. Ortiz - 6/22/10)
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Park and Partner News
Yosemite National Park Announces Beginning of 2010 Fire Season (June 18,
2010)
Park Implements Changes Since Big Meadow Fire of 2009

Yosemite fire managers have announced the 2010 Fire Season has begun. Fire
season officially begins when seasonal firefighting equipment and personnel
are in place, prepared and ready to respond. Firefighters have spent the
last week conducting their annual readiness reviews that demonstrate skills
and proficiency for fighting fire. In addition, daily weather patterns,
temperatures, and moisture levels are closely monitored, which aids in
determining if vegetation is within prescription for burning.

Yosemite National Park will begin implementing the prescribed burn program
for the 2010 season. This will be the first fire season since the escaped
Big Meadow Fire of August 2009. The prescribed burn escaped and eventually
burned approximately 7,500 acres. No structures or personnel were lost in
the escaped fire, however, several roads and campgrounds were closed due to
safety concerns.

After full containment of the Big Meadow fire in September, fire officials
from the Pacific West Regional Office for the National Park Service
performed a comprehensive fire review. The purposes of the review were to
examine the causes of the escaped prescribed burn and help the park
minimize potential escaped fires in the future. The Big Meadow Prescribed
Fire Review identified lessons learned, as well as methods for supporting
the lessons. Lessons learned and future action items include:
Yosemite will improve fire plans to address specific site conditions.
The park will consult with Regional Fire Management Staff prior to
the implementation of all prescribed burns.
The park will better record seasonal changes in fuel moisture, fire
danger, fire behavior, and weather.
Yosemite will develop a five year strategic fire program that meets
workforce capabilities.
The park will assure adequate formal training for all fire employees
and management staff.
The park will ensure sufficient communication between all park staff.

There are currently several proposed prescribed burns located in the
western portion of the park near Crane Flat. The purpose of these
prescribed burns is to reduce hazardous fuels near the park boundary,
protect the Rockefeller Grove of sugar pine trees, and protect the Crane
Flat area. The area was last treated by logging and mechanical thinning in
the 1920’s. Site preparation is underway, however the specific dates for
the prescribed burn have not been established.

Yosemite National Park officials are committed to ensuring sufficient fire
crews will be onsite during all prescribed burn activity. These resources
will monitor fire behavior and weather, as well as support burnout and
holding operations to ensure firefighter safety, public safety, and to
prevent prescribed fire escape. (K. Cobb - 6/22/10)
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The Tuolumne Meadows Store opens for the season on Friday, June 25, 2010 at
8:00 a.m.
Daily operating hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Effective Wednesday, June
30 the daily operating hours will change to 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. While
traveling to Tuolumne Meadows, please obey all posted speed limits and be
concious of bears and other wildlife crossing the highway. (V. McMichael -
6/21/10)
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Yosemite Conservancy Presents: North Dome Moonrise Photography Backpack
with John Senser
Date: Wednesday - Friday, June 23-25, 2010
Meeting time: 9:00am
Course Description: Half Dome in Yosemite has inspired photographers from
Carleton Watkins in the 1860s to Ansel Adams in the 1960s to many of our
present day contemporaries. However, few have photographed Half Dome from
this awe-inspired vantage point.

This workshop will backpack to the crest of North Dome, which is the dome
directly across canyon and facing Half Dome. North Dome provides the
photographer an unusual and impressive vantage point from which to work
with this grand monolith and the surrounding high Sierra landscape. Timed
to coincide with the rising of the full moon at sunset (and the setting
moon at sunrise), workshop participants will be treated (weather
permitting) to a very rare combination of both a moon-filled evening and
moon-filled morning as well as a rosy sunset on the massive walls of
granite.

In addition to work with the big landscape and the moon, there will also be
ample opportunity to work with the more intimate landscape of twisted
mountain junipers and stately Jeffrey pines that grace North Dome. Not far
off our trail is also a unique arch called Indian Rock and another dome
called Basket Dome that we will explore photographically. With luck we will
also have an opportunity to work with some of the sub-alpine wildflowers
like the showy Mountain Pride that will be blooming between the granite
slabs. We still have room for those interested. NPS folks go for free. The
regular cost is $246.00 non members/$209.00 for members. Please call Holly
at 209-379-2321. (H. Kuehn - 6/21/10)
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Yosemite Institute Announces Final Openings for Summer Group Program
Residential Youth Education Programs in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, announced a rare last minute
opening in late August for groups seeking a residential educational
experience in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Institute programs combine
academic study with physical challenges, team building activities, and
service projects .

Participants stay at the Yosemite Institute Crane Flat campus and spend
days exploring sequoia groves and alpine meadows and visiting Yosemite’s
famous sites. Itineraries are customized for each group based on the
group’s interests and goals.

Available dates are August 29- September 3, 2010. Group leaders are
encouraged to contact Dena Staggs at 209.379.9511 ext 25 or
dstaggs@naturebridge.org. To learn more, visit our summer programs page on
our website http://www.naturebridge.org/yosemite/summer.

About Yosemite Institute
Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, is committed to educating the
next generation of environmental stewards. Founded in 1971, NatureBridge is
the largest residential environmental education partner of the National
Park Service. Its mission is to inspire personal connections to the natural
world and responsible actions to sustain it. NatureBridge currently
operates four residential education campuses: Yosemite Institute in
Yosemite National Park, Headlands Institute in the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area, Olympic Park Institute in Olympic National Park in
Washington, and Santa Monica Mountains Institute in the Santa Monica
Mountains National Recreation Area. Each year, NatureBridge serves more
than 30,000 students through its field science, youth leadership, and
teacher training programs. www.yosemiteinstitute.org (K. Cobb - 6/21/10)

Acting Designations
George Harders will be the Acting Branch Chief for Utilities Thursday, June
24th and Monday June 28th. You may phone George at his El Portal office at
379-1828. If unavailable you may leave a message with Katie Bablitch at
379-1055. Rodney Raines will be the Acting Branch Chief for Utilities
Friday June 25th. You may phone Rodney at his Wawona office 375-9510. (S.
Gaynor - 6/22/10)
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Mark Husbands will be Acting Branch Chief for the Design Branch of the
Project Management Division from Tuesday, June 22, 2010 through Thursday,
June 24, 2010. Mark Husbands can be reached at 379-1364 or you may leave a
message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (T. Radmacher - 6/22/10)
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Sue Clark will be Acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning &
Compliance June 22. You can reach her at 379-1115. Renea Kennec will be
Acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning and Compliance on June 23,
24, and 25. You may reach her at 370-1038. (K. Dera - 6/21/10)
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Curator Barbara Beroza (372-0297) will be acting Branch Chief for the
Museum Program June 19 - July 7, 2010. (J. Bayless - 6/1710)
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Jay Shields will be the acting Mather District Ranger from 6/15 through
6/26. He can be reached at the Crane Flat Subdistrict Office, 379-1926. (K.
Killian - 6/15/10)
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Until further notice, Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park
Archivist . If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive
related questions, you can also try calling at 379-1281 or 379-1104. (J.
Bayless - 6/3/10)
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Until further notice, Lorene Schafer (379-1873) will be the Acting Chief
for Contracting and Procurement . If you have contracting related questions
and don't already have a point of contact, please call Helli Tucker at
379-1368. Please continue to route purchase request (PR) packages to Lorene
for Acquisition Approval in IDEAS.
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Until further notice, Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch
Chief and Deputy Chief Ranger.
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Until further notice, Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources
Officer - 209/379-1878.

Employee News
Welcome! I am very pleased to announce that Susan Vezeau has started a term
GS-9 social scientist position with the Visitor Use and Social Sciences
Branch in Resources Management and Science. She has earned a B.S. in
Anthropology minoring in Psychology from the College of Charleston, a M.S.
in Anthropology from Texas A&M University, and is a PhD candidate in Parks,
Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University. Susan is the
George B. Hartzog Jr. Fellow for the university and was the assistant to
former National Park Service Director and Visiting Scholar, Fran Mainella.
She has held previous positions as Educational Program
Director/Archaeologist for the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center, Senior
Research Specialist/Nautical Archaeologist for NOAA's National Marine
Sanctuary Program, and was the Submerged Cultural Resource Coordinator for
the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Sue's dissertation work is currently
focusing on program evaluation research within the Great Smoky Mountains
National Parks interpretation and education programs.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Susan as an exciting addition
to the Yosemite staff. (N. Nicholas - 6/22/10)
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Have a bunch of supplies you want to give away? Make use of our NEW
supply sharing feature on the Yosemite Sustainability Website. Don't throw
away your excess supplies. Post them to our new Sharepoint site just like
you would on Craigslist. You can even post pictures!
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/sustain/Lists/Supply%20Sharing/AllItems.aspx
(D. Miyako - 6/21/10)

Community News
Carpool opportunity! Anyone interested in carpooling ANYWHERE from
Chukchansi Casino (Hwy 41 and 417) to Bootjack (Hwy 49 and Darrah) to
Midpines at Triangle Rd or Midpines Market areas to El Portal and back
Monday through Friday and work between 7 am and 1600, please contact Brenna
at either brenna.egle@yahoo.com or 559-676-7739 via message or text! Will
stop 2-3 times a week near Bootjack store regardless. I'll do the driving
if you help with the gas :) (B. Eagle - 6/22/10)
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Music at the Mobil: The Adam Burns Band will be playing at the Mobil
Station in Lee Vining this Thursday, June 24th, from 6pm to 9pm. (K. Ramsey
- 6/22/10)
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Mariposa Symphony Orchestra "Independence Day Spectacular!" Concert,
Saturday, June 26 at 7:00 pm in the Amphitheatre at Mariposa County Park -
a spectacularly fun concert of very familiar classical 'pops'; a great way
to spend a cool summer's eve. Bring your picnic dinner - and enjoy this
great early celebration of our nation's Independence. This rousing
outdoor concert will be held at the Amphitheatre at Mariposa County Park:
4998 County Park Road, off Stroming Rd. (6th Street off Hwy 140) Tickets
are (Adults:) $6 and Students: $4. Advance ticket purchase is strongly
urged. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets for the lawn or
cushions for the seating area. For concert tickets and information:
call the Mariposa County Arts Council, Inc. (209) 966-3155 (Monday -
Friday, 9/AM-5/PM) at 5009 5th Street, and at the Mariposa County Visitors
Center Hwy 49 & Hwy 140 intersection - (209) 966-7081. (D. Brownell -
6/22/10)
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FOR RENT: Studio apartment in town (Mariposa). Freshly painted; quiet
neighborhood; private. No pets; nonsmoking; one individual. $500/month.
Call 966-6726; ask for Mark or Frank. (Y. Radanovich - 6/22/10)