Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, July 23, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. East southeast wind at 10 mph
becoming west.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 58. West wind between 5 and 8 mph
becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am.
Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west between 7 and
10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before
11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. West wind around 8 mph becoming
east.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly
sunny and hot, with a high near 99. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

El Portal
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming west
southwest between 6 and 9 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 61. West wind between 4 and 7 mph
becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming west
southwest between 6 and 9 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. West wind around 7 mph
becoming east.
Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. East wind 6 to 8 mph becoming
west southwest.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west between 6 and 9
mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 51. West wind between 4 and 7 mph
becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west
between 6 and 9 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind around 8 mph
becoming east.
Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. East wind around 8 mph becoming
west.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Tuolumne Area
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly
cloudy, with a high near 76. East northeast wind around 8 mph becoming west
southwest.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north
northeast.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am.
Partly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph becoming
west southwest.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before
11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West southwest wind between 10
and 13 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly
cloudy, with a high near 77. South southwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Happening Today (see Community News below for other events happening today)

Tioga Road Work: The Mather road crew will be performing road maintenance
on theTioga Road starting at the Tenaya Lake area and working east. Expect
short traffic delays. Thanks for your cooperation. (B. Brantley - 7/23/10)
******************************************************
Hazard Tree Work Continues
Contractors continue tree hazard cleanup along the Big Oak Flat Road and
Tioga Road in the Crane Flat area. Intermittent one-lane traffic control is
anticipated with brief delays. (B. Mattos - 7/19/10)

Construction Update
Soda Springs Bridge Intermittent Closure: The Soda Springs Bridge (near the
Parson's lodge) will be closed periodically from July 12 - August 5 for
repairs. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause. (C. Hime -
7/12/10)
******************************************************
BEGINNING THIS WEEK: El Portal Complex Photovoltaic System (to be completed
approximately 5 months from when work begins July 22)
Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] started moving material
and equipment into the El Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. Trenching
for the new PV systems and work on the carports will begin in August. To
minimize potential traffic and parking problems, PIA has agreed to work
Thursday - Sunday. Park Management encourages El Portal Complex employees
to carpool, use the bus, ride your bike or walk to work during construction
days as there will be a decrease in parking during construction. More
information will follow as to the specific locations of work and alternate
parking throughout the project (M. Ortiz - 7/23/10)
******************************************************
Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010):

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

-For all Yosemite road construction information and updates, visit the
park's website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm

-For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 7/22/10)
******************************************************
Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end of 2010)
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is working this week to remove abandoned
utilities in the meadow between the Yosemite Valley Elementary School
(between Yosemite Village and Lower Yosemite Fall) and Northside Drive.
(M. Ortiz - 7/12/10)
******************************************************
Wawona Tunnel (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction (contractor) is continuing work on the fire alarm
and ventilation systems in the Wawona Tunnel. (M. Ortiz - 7/12/10)
******************************************************
Tecoya Housing (to be completed by October 1, 2010)
Allison Sierra (contractor) will be working in the Lower Tecoya area to
replace old and failing water, sewer, and power lines. Currently they are
working near the laundry room, E Dorm, F Dorm, and the area between
Residence 108 - 113. (M. Ortiz - 7/12/10)

Park and Partner News
Fire Update #1 – July 22, 2010
Two lightning caused fires were discovered July 19, 2010, on the north rim
of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Smoke was reported visible from
the east, near the Waterwheel Fall area. Yosemite received lightning late
last week and into the past weekend along the Sierra crest. It is not
unusual to find these fires a few days after thunderstorms.

These remote fires are approximately at the 8000’ elevation and within two
miles of each other. They are in designated wilderness, and located in
Tuolumne County. Firefighters were flown into the fire area and spike
camped out in the fire area to monitor the fires. They will gather data to
assess the fire spread potential and observe fire behavior. Additionally,
they will collect adjacent fuels and other vegetation information,
determine fuel moistures, locate natural fire barriers, and place trail
warning signs as needed. The two lightning caused fires are being managed
for multiple objectives.

Tuolumne: 37 57.024 x 119 32.582. It mapped on the ground to .4 of an
acre. It is west of the Wildcat 2 fire and Rodgers Creek. It has a slight
potential to spread. It is burning in short needle conifer vegetation and
brush, on a south aspect. No fire activity was observed today.

Wildcat 2: 37 56.865 x 119 30.447 – It grew to 2.9 acres. It has moderate
potential to spread. Light smoke is visible. It is on the south side of
Register Creek and north of last summer’s Wildcat fire. It continues to
creep through brush. Winds were from the west to northwest.

There are three historical fires in this area: 1948, 1985 and last year’s
2009, Wildcat fire.

Suppression Fire:

Footbridge: 37 46.319x119 32.275 – This .10 acre fire was discovered July
20, 2010, and is in Mariposa County. This fire was suppressed utilizing
Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST), utilizing the least impacting
tools on the land. The helitack crew assigned to the fire hiked out of the
fire area 7/21. It is in patrol status. This fire was burning in heavy
fuels, many of which are snags, (standing dead trees.) Light smoke was
visible from Glacier point, and was dispersing to the northwest. The fire
was near the Snow Creek footbridge and n/w of Basket Dome.

The National Weather Service continues to predict a chance of thunderstorms
later this week and into the weekend.

Another update will be out in the next few days as new data is collected,
including photos. Additional maps and photographs are available to view on
the Yosemite Webpage: www.nps.gov/yose/fire.

“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 or online: www.nps.gov/yose/fire (G. Wuchner - 7/22/10)
****************************************************
Bear Facts - July 11- July 17, 2010

Weekly Total

| # of Incidents | Damage
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Parking Lots | 16 | $7,823
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Campgrounds | 3 | $80
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Other Areas | 10 | $1,545
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Backcountry | 1 | $260
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Total | 30 | $9,708

Yearly Total

| # of Incidents | Damage
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Parking Lots | 82 | $35,338
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Campgrounds | 42 | $4,077
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Other Areas | 92 | $26,591
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Backcountry | 11 | $1,909
------------------+-----------------+--------------
Total | 227 | $67,915

*Additionally there have been 35 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 July 11-July 17

| 1998 | 2010 | Percent | 2009 | 2010 | Percent
| | | Change | | | Change
--------------+-------------+-------------+----------------+-------------+-------------+----------------
Incidents | 386 | 227 | -41.19% | 235 | 227 | -3.40%
--------------+-------------+-------------+----------------+-------------+-------------+----------------
Damage | $178,739 | $67,915 | -62.00% | $21,705 | $67,915 | +212.90%

There have already been 13 bears hit, and 6 killed by vehicles this year.
Please obey speed limits and pay attention while driving!

WEEKLY INCIDENTS BY LOCATION

| # of Incidents
-------------------------+------------------
Yosemite Valley | 28
-------------------------+------------------
Sunrise Creek/LYV | 1
-------------------------+------------------
Tuolumne | 1

BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY: This week bears continued to break into vehicles to
obtain food. Many visitors and residents have had their vehicles severely
damaged by bears because they overlooked or “forgot” a few small food
items. When bears are successful in finding food in vehicles it encourages
them to damage others that have even the slightest odor of food within.
Don’t overestimate the strength of your vehicle. It is a trivial exercise
for a bear to pop out a window, bend you door frame to a 90 degree angle,
or rip off that fancy convertible top. If you value your property and wild
bears in your national park take the time to store your food properly day
and night.

If you are visiting Yosemite, be aware that bears are extremely clever and
opportunistic. It is your responsibility as a visitor to ensure that bears
do not get your food. Please keep these animals wild by diligently
following all park laws. If you see a bear during your visit please report
it to the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322.

INTERESTING BEAR FACT: Of all animals bears possess the strongest sense of
smell. The common dog’s sense of smell is 100 times stronger than a human,
while a bear’s sense of smell is 7 times stronger than a bloodhound or
2,100 times stronger than that of a human. Yep.. they smell that food in
your car. (T. Seher - 7/22/10)

Acting Designations
Monica Buhler (375-9573) will be acting branch chief for Vegetation and
Ecological Restoration on July 23. (J. Weaser - 7/23/10)
****************************************************
While I am out of the office July 21 through August 31, for volunteer
program support please contact Lindsey Prell, Volunteer Program Assistant,
at 379-1850. (H. Boothe - 7/23/10)
****************************************************
Sonny Montague is acting Branch Chief for Anthropology and Archeology on
Friday July 23. (L. Kirn - 7/23/10)
****************************************************
Historical Architect Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief
for History, Architecture & Landscapes on July 23, 2010. (D. Humphrey -
7/23/10)
****************************************************
Jim Bacon will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division July
23rd and 26th. Jim may be reached by phone at 209-658-0850 on Friday and
may be reached by phone on Monday at 379-1375 in El Portal. If unavailable
you may leave a message with Doyle Harrison at 379-1110. (D.Harrison -
7/22/10)
****************************************************
Lorene will be acting Administrative Officer for the week of July 19.
Lorene can be reach at 379-1873. (P. Lendvay-Humphrey - 7/20/10)
****************************************************
Cindy Whitten, Acting HRO will be out of the Park the week of July 19.
Trudy Hawkins (209) 379-1802 will be Acting HRO. (C. Whitten - 7/19/10)
****************************************************
Shane Sims will be Acting Safety Officer while Roger Farmer on assignment
in the Gulf July 12-July 24. Shane can be reached at 379-1209. (C. Ronay -
7/16/10)
****************************************************
Kieth Stowell will be the acting Buildings and Grounds Facilities Manager
July 15- 23. He can be reached at 379-1280, or have a message left with
Tara Hawksley at 379-1054. (A. Sharp - 7/15/10)
****************************************************
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 also try calling at 379-1282 or 379-1104. (J. Bayless -
6/3/10)
****************************************************
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.
****************************************************
Until further notice, Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch
Chief and Deputy Chief Ranger.
****************************************************
Until further notice, Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources
Officer - 209/379-1878.

Employee News
Employee Awards:
Excellence In Service

Donald Ramsey . . . accomplishing several new duties in addition to his
current workload in support of the audits.

Leonor Perez . . . taking on many extra "day-to-day" duties to keep the
office running during the audits.

Tami Barton, Amanda Burnham, Trudy Hawkins, Cindy Whitten, Roxanne Zirkle,
Burcu Hinchberger, Irma Keheley, Jennifer Rudesil, Andrea Summerlin . . .
your awesome effort keeping up with the huge hiring workload this spring.

Justin Radanovich, Dan Benitag, Fred Grin, Pete Campstrom, Katie Brown,
Katie Bablitch, Shawnessy Gaynor, Jessica Clingenpeel, Jeremy Day, Tara
Hawksley, Tammy Lawhon, Brian Martin. . . in addition to their regular
duties, all of these employees were key team members in the ARRA Energy
Audit.

Lynn Galloway . . .your efforts cleaning and repairing stone and wood walls
around Valley Visitor Center.

Wesley Wills . . . your significant contributions as the lead archeologist
for the RMS Wilderness restoration Program.

Time Off Award

Rodney Raines, Mike Robarge, Susan Krause, Bonnie Foster, Jim Fredle,
Graham Guizar, Jason Sherrell, Ricky Mooneyham, Randy Rust, Ronald Parkey
. . .no lost time accidents for calendar year 2009 in Wawona Utilities.

Korwin Kirk, Shawn Zumbrunnen, Joseph Fitzgerald, John Heth, Bob McMichael,
Kyle Harders . . .no lost time accidents for calendar year 2009 in
Backcountry Utilities.

Diane Mansker . . .your efforts coordinating for the Park Service Wide
Energy Audit. (C. Mattiuzzi - 7/23/10)
****************************************************
Yosemite Web GIS Portal - Intranet Site and Training Opportunity
RMS announces the availability of the Yosemite Web GIS Portal, a new
web-based mapping site (http://gis.yose.nps.gov). Similar to Google Earth,
the site is extremely user-friendly yet contains detailed information about
park resources and infrastructure, based on the park's extensive GIS
spatial data library. Park staff and volunteers are invited to a kickoff
meeting demonstrating how to use the site on Tuesday July 27 from
9:30-10:30 in the Large Break Room in El Portal. From 10:30-12, additional
in-depth training will be offered for those who want to stay. Participants
who wish to gain hands-on experience are welcome to bring laptops, but
laptops are not required for either part of the meeting.

We ask that you RSVP to Kim Hastings,stating whether you expect to stay for
the additional training and whether you are planning to bring a laptop.
This is to make sure we have enough materials and seating.

Please note that the Yosemite Web GIS Portal is an intranet site only. A
public version of the site will be introduced at a later date. (C. Knipper
- 7/22/10)

Community News
Groveland this weekend
7/24 For Your Musical Enjoyment Pine Mountain Lake 19th Hole Lounge is
pleased to present "Fabulous Blue Note" OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 8 pm to
Midnight

7/24 Movies in the Park: Little Giants in Lower Mary Laveroni Community
Park. Weekly movies in the park sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of
Commerce. Great family fun, bring a blanket and buy your popcorn, candy,
hotdogs and soda at the park. Great prices!

7/24 Farmers Market every Saturday at Mountain Sage with great local
produce, homemade treats, artisans, crafts, impromptu music and more.
Starts 8am.

7/30 Tom Sawyer, a free movie in the Park sponsored by Friends of the
Library

The Iron Door Saloon offers a kids eat free on Tuesdays, a pool tournament
on Wednesdays, Karaoke on Thursdays and live bands on Friday and Saturday
night.

For more events and details see www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html (Hotel
Charlotte - 7/23/10)
****************************************************
LIVE MUSIC: All of the Yosemite Community is welcome to attend another
killer live show at the East Auditorium on Friday 23rd from 9pm until
Midnight! Back to bring down the house with their electro-dance-rock jams
is BLVD!! This band has toured both hemisphere's of the word with great
reception and we're lucky to have them for a private FREE show. Please
bring an employee ID and/or drivers license, cash for refreshments, no
backpacks or outside alcohol, and dancing shoes. Transportation through
out the Valley will be provided after the show. Brought to you by your
friends at DNC Employee Recreation. (E. Brosk - 7/22/10)
****************************************************
Free Movie Night!!! 7:30 pm on Friday, July 30th at Yosemite Community
Church. Showing of "Amazing Grace", the story of William Wilberforce
life's work to abolish slavery in the British Empire. Free popcorn and
soda! Everyone is welcome. (D. Engelstad - 7/22/10)
****************************************************
6TH STREET CINEMA is located upstairs in the historic Old Masonic Lodge
(under historic renovation) on 6th Street in downtown Mariposa. Entrance is
$7 per film for non-members; non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership
is $12 allowing film entry for $3 each. Special performances and broadcasts
have alternate pricing structures.
Recorded Information: 209 966-1333. Staff: 209 742-6666. Visit our website:
http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org or e-mail us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net.

This week:
July 23 - 24 (Friday - Saturday) 7:30 P.M.: GREENBERG.
Ben Stiller plays Roger Greenberg, a 40 year old New Yorker who moves to
Los Angeles in order to figure out his life, while he housesits for his
brother. He soon sparks with his brother's assistant, who may finally have
given his life purpose. A funny, bittersweet, poignant film. This funny,
offbeat film is directed by Noah Baumbach ("The Squid and the Whale",
"Margot At The Wedding"). (Rated R; 107 minutes).
July 28, 6:00 p.m.: DINNER, WINE TASTING AND A PLAY.
"LONDON ASSURANCE" (FROM LONDON'S NATIONAL THEATRE) AND DINNER AND WINE
TASTING AT SAVOURY'S : $60
Please join us for fine dining and fine farce, as we present the classic
British comedy "London Assurance," taped live at London's National Theatre,
preceded by an all-inclusive dinner and wine tasting at Mariposa's
Savoury's, located right next door to the theater. Tickets must be
purchased in advance by July 25. Please call 209.742.6666 for
reservations. (T. Arfsten - 7/21/10)
_________________________________