Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are
numerous unpaved surfaces.

Paving work has begun on the Wawona Road. Contractors started north of
Wawona Campground, and they will be alternating lanes every night going
north. Just south of Chinquapin, the waterline is being placed so there is
no pavement there.

*Night work: Consists of paving, pulverizing old pavement, and water system
work near Chinquapin.

*Day work: Consists of pouring concrete curb between Wawona and the South
Entrance, areas south of Chinquapin (between Wawona Campground and six
miles north of the campground).

-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 - 8/3/10)

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Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end of 2010)
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently working on the new sewer
lift station at the Ahwahnee Hotel as well as some of the fire hydrants and
valving on Ahwahnee Drive. Further work on the abandonment of old utilities
has been put on hold.

Allison Sierra (ASI) was recently awarded the contract for the new North
Pines sewer lift station project that is to start shortly before the
campground closes for the season. (M. Ortiz - 8/4/10)
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Wawona Tunnel (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction (contractor) is continuing the installation of the
new venitlation and fire alarm systems throughout the tunnel. (M. Ortiz -
8/3/10)
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Tecoya Housing (to be completed by October 1, 2010)
Allison Sierra (ASI) [contractor] will be working in the Lower Tecoya area
to replace old and failing water, sewer, and power lines and remove them
from sensitive ecological areas. This contractor (ASI) was also awarded the
contract for the new North Pines sewer lift station project that is to
start shortly.  (M. Ortiz - 7/26/10)

Park and Partner News
Yosemite Fires – Update #5 – August 1, 2010
The lightning caused fires of July 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 and accumulations of needle and leaf litter.

All fires listed are being monitored and data is being collected (fuel
moistures and weather) to determine what actions will be taken.  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.

Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co).  This fire
has grown to approximately 180 acres.  It is approximately one mile n/w of
Harden Lake in an area of frequent fires: 1985, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005 and
2009. There is no recorded fire history in the immediate fire area.  The
fire is burning through the ground cover, with the occasional torching of
single trees or groupings of trees.  The fire is backing slowly and
flanking the north slope with a low rate of spread although there has been
short range spotting. The north and southeast perimeters are the most
active.  Smoke is visible along Tioga Rd, O’Shaughnessy Dam of the Hetch
Hetchy Reservoir, and across the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River toward
Rancheria trail area.  The mixed conifer forest is on a north aspect, with
cedar and white fir trees, down tree limbs and compacted short needles as
the predominate vegetation. There are numerous trails in the area and all
remain open. “Fire near the Trail” warnings signs are in place, and hikers
are encouraged to heed the warning signs.
Cooperators include the San Francisco Water Quality and Public Utilities
Commission at Hetch Hetchy, and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control
District.

Other fires:
Tuolumne:  (37 57.024 x 119 32.58; 8000’ el., Tuolumne Co).   This fire is
3.88 acres, and inactive.  It continues to be monitored.

Wildcat 2: (37 56.865 x 119 30.447; 8000’ el., Tuolumne Co.) This fire
became more active over the weekend of July 31 and August I, and has
increased to 16 acres .  It is burning through fingers of fuel along
Register Creek, and it continues to be monitored.

The National Weather Service is predicting favorable air models for smoke
dispersion for the Slope fire, with no long term stagnation in the
forecast. Early morning smoke may be present down the Grand Canyon of the
Tuolumne.

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
     Yosemite Online:      www.nps.gov/yose/fire
     NASA satellite images of smoke:
     http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/index.php?subset=AERONET_Fresno.2010208.aqu

     USGS regional webcam images of smoke movement:
     http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/swifers/pages/WebCam.htm   (G. Wuchner
     - 8/3/10)

Acting Designations
Russ Kish will be acting Trails Supervisor Aug. 4 - 18.  Russ can be
reached at 209-742-3540.(S. Baudaux - 8/4/10)
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Charles Cuvelier, Chief Ranger will be acting Superintendent from July
31-August 5, and Niki Nicholas, Chief of Resource Management, will be
acting Superintendent from August 6-August 15. (D. Neubacher - 8/2/10)
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Judi Weaser is acting Division Chief for Resources Management and Science
August 2 through August 5, 2010.  She can be reached at 209-379-3296 or
209-379-1060. (M. Thornley - 8/3/10)
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Alan Hawksley will be the acting Building and Grounds Facility Management
Supervisor for August 4 and 5. He can be reached at 379-1278. Kevin Keheley
will be the acting Building and Grounds Facility Management Supervisor on
August 6. He can be reached at 379-1169. If you cannot get a hold of either
Alan, or Kevin, you may call Tara Hawksley at 379-1054 and leave a message.
(A. Sharp - 8/3/10)
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Sonny Montague is acting Branch Chief for Anthropology & Archeology from
8/2 through 8/5. (L. Kirn - 8/2/10)
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The following staff will be Acting A.O. while Katariina is out of the park
from July 29 -  August 17, 2010. Dale St. Vincent, August 1 - 6
(379-1106),   Lorene Schafer, August 9 - 13, (379-1873),  Dayna Jackson,
August 16-17 (379-1872).  (P. Lendvay Humphrey - 7/29/10)
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Elexis Mayer will be Acting Division Chief for Project Management on
Wednesday, August 4, 2010, through Friday, August 6, 2010.  Elexis can be
reached at 379-1377 or you may leave a message with Sarah Henderson. (S.
Henderson - 8/3/10)
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Historical Architect Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief
for History, Architecture & Landscapes from Tuesday, Aug. 3 thru Monday,
Aug. 9, 2010.
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Mike Yochim will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division
August 3rd, 4th and 5th.  Mike may be reached by telephone at 379-1441 or
if unavailable you may leave a message with Mae Frantz at 379-1218.
(D.Harrison - 7/28/10)
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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)
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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
YOSEMITE JOBS:
PERMANENT GOVERNMENT-WIDE ALL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
     Motor Vehicle Operator, WG-5703-08, (HRF 10-263)
     Vacancy Ann #: HRF 10-263 (SR366114)
     Who May Apply: Status Candidates
     Pay Plan: WG-5703/08
     Appointment Type: Permanent
     Job Status: Full-Time
     Opening Date: 07/30/2010
     Closing Date: 08/13/10

     Electrician (High Voltage)
     Vacancy Ann #: YP362486 RZ10
     Who May Apply: Status Candidates
     Pay Plan: WG-2810/10
     Appointment Type: Permanent
     Job Status: Full-Time
     Opening Date: 07/21/2010
     Closing Date:  08/04/10

PERMANENT -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
     Motor Vehicle Operator, WG-5703-08, (HRF 10-264)
     Vacancy Ann #: HRF 10-264 (SR366220)
     Who May Apply: Public
     Pay Plan: WG-5703/08
     Appointment Type: Permanent
     Job Status: Full-Time
     Opening Date: 07/30/2010
     Closing Date:  08/13/10

     Electrician (High Voltage)
     Vacancy Ann #: YP348126 RZ10
     Who May Apply: Public
     Pay Plan: WG-2810/10
     Appointment Type: Permanent
     Job Status: Full-Time
     Opening Date: 07/14/2010
     Closing Date: 08/04/10 ***Closing Date Extended***

TERM -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED -- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
     Biological Science Technician, GS-0404-08, (HRF 10-292)
     Vacancy Ann #: HRF 10-292 (SR369983)
     Who May Apply: Public
     Pay Plan: GS-0404/08
     Appointment Type: Term
     Job Status: Full-Time
     Opening Date: 07/30/2010
     Closing Date:  08/16/10

     Biological Science Technician (HRF 10-293)
     Vacancy Ann #: HRF 10-293 (SR364912)
     Who May Apply: Public
     Pay Plan: GS-0404/06-07
     Appointment Type: Term
     Job Status: Full-Time
     Opening Date: 07/13/2010
     Closing Date:  08/02/10 ***Closing Date Extended***
(I. Keheley - 8/3/10)

Community News
ONE DATE CANCELLED BUT ONE STILL ON! Yosemite National Park Child Care will
still be hosting a BBQ/ Open Mike Night/ Raffle at the El Portal Community
Hall on August 19th ONLY (starting at about 5 pm).  You should come!
You'll enjoy the food!  You'll enjoy the music!  You'll enjoy winning any
number of awesome prizes (including a Mountain Hardwear backpack or
sleeping bag, a Penny Otwell original painting, a $50 gift certificate to
Savoury's in Mariposa, and much more!).  Call or email Sarah with
questions:  379. 2860 or elportalchildcare@gmail.com   (S. Steele - 8/3/10)
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Come for a Knit and Chat!
What: A chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones and learn
from other people in the craft.
When: Thursday, August 5 - 7:30pm
Where: 9766 Riverview Road (Rancheria)
To Bring: A blanket or a chair and the crafts of your choice.
Look forward to seeing you there! Questions? Call Keri Miller at 372-0359.
(K. Miller - 8/3/10)
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ART HOP IN MARIPOSA - FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH: AUGUST 6
Visit over 25 Art Hop venues throughout downtown Mariposa. Look for the
gold balloons!
     Meet local artists
     View their creations
     Mingle with friends
     Enjoy music and refreshments
For more information visit: www.MariposaArtHop.com (L. Leao - 8/3/10)