Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Weather
Yosemite Valley
Today: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph.
Tonight: Rain before 4am, then rain and snow. Low around 32. South
southwest wind between 10 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance
of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wednesday: Rain and snow showers. High near 34. Southwest wind between
11-16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
New snow accumulation of 1-3 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a
low around 20. North northwest wind around 9 mph. New snow accumulation of
less than a half inch possible.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high
near 21. East northeast wind 10-14 mph becoming north northwest. Winds
could gust as high as 18 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.
El Portal
Today: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Light southwest wind.
Tonight: Rain. Low around 36. South wind between 8-17 mph, with gusts as
high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday: Rain showers. High near 48. South southwest wind around 8 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy,
with a low around 27. North northwest wind between 6-8 mph. Chance of
precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. East northeast wind 10-15 mph
becoming north northwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.
Wawona
Today: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Light west southwest wind.
Tonight: Rain before 4am, then rain and snow. Steady temp. around 41. South
wind between 7-15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of
precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accum. expected.
Wednesday: Rain and snow showers. Temp. falling to around 34 by 10am. South
wind 7-10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow
accumulation of 1-3 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a
low around 24. North northwest wind around 11 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 28. North wind between 10-13 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.
Park & Partner News
On December 24, 2010, two visitors hiking the Chilnualna Falls Trail in
Wawona were approached by a mountain lion. The visitors acted
appropriately by grouping together, waving a big stick, and yelling at the
mountain lion. They also reported the incident to the Wawona Ranger
Station after returning from their hike.
Lions are a normal and important part of the natural surroundings we enjoy
while in Yosemite National Park. However, the presence of lions,
especially near developed areas or on popular hiking trails, requires that
we take precautions.
Keep children close to you. Do not allow them to run ahead or lag
behind on the trail.
Never feed wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels or coyotes –
this helps discourage them from frequenting developed areas. These
animals are prey for mountain lions.
Hiking or running alone is not recommended. A walking stick can be a
useful defense.
If you encounter a lion, take the following actions:
Ø Shout in a low voice and wave your arms or hold your coat open.
Your goal is to make yourself look as large and threatening as
possible.
Ø Maintain eye contact with the lion, and do not crouch down.
Ø Throw sticks or rocks at the lion.
Ø NEVER RUN.
Ø Pick up or restrain small children to keep them from panicking and
running.
Ø If a lion attacks, FIGHT BACK!
Report all mountain lion sightings to the Park’s Dispatch Office at
379-1992 or any nearby Ranger Station.
Attack from a mountain lion is still an extremely unlikely event, but use
of the above recommendations can further reduce the chances of injury and
allow us to more safely share the park with these spectacular
animals.(V.Seher-12/28/10
******************************
Badger Pass Daily Snow Report
Date: Monday, December 28, 2010
Downhill Operations
Base Depth: 72”-75”
New Snow: 0”
Snow Conditions: Powder, Packed Powder
Forecast: 30% Chance Of Snow
Temperature: High 42 Low 29
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Rabbit, Badger, Wildcat, Turtle, Red Fox,
Beaver
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
Many features (14) in our two terrain parks!!! One is on Eagle run with
boxes, rails, rollers and a jump while the Beaver run hosts 4 big-air
jumps, rollers and boxes!! Come try them out.
Tubing Hill: Two Sessions Per Day 11:30 – 1:30 & 2:00 – 4:00
Cross Country Conditions
Groomed XC trails: Freshly groomed tracks from Badger Pass to Glacier Point
on Saturday Evening December 25, 2010. Tracks Were Set Out To Bridalveil
Campground On Monday Evening December 27, 2010.
XC trail snow conditions: Excellent
Employee News
The Protection Division would like to announce the following new hires:
Valley District Assistant Shift Supervisor - Scott Jacobs
Scott has been employed in Yosemite since July of 2007, starting as a
patrol ranger in Tuolumne Meadow. He has worked Valley patrol for the last
year and is one of the park's Field Training Officers as well as the park
Taser Program Coordinator. Scott's previous training and involvement in
Problem Oriented Policing will enhance our ability to address problems
analytically and through engaging stakeholders.
Wawona Supervisory Park Ranger - Chad Andrews
Chad has worked in Yosemite for a total of seven years beginning in 2001
and been the acting Wawona Subdistrict Ranger since November. He is one of
the park's Field Training Officers, a Park Medic, and oversees the Badger
Pass operation as the Badger Pass Area Ranger. Chad's leadership in
community oriented policing will aid staff development as they serve the
Wawona Community.
Canyon Ranch Subdistrict Ranger - Chris Smith
Chris has been employed in Yosemite since 1999 and been a NPS employee
since 2002. He has been working in the Canyon Ranch Subdistrict for six
years and is on the park's SRT team. He has been acting in the Subdistrict
Ranger position since August and has done an exemplary job, winning the
loyalty and respect of the entire Canyon Ranch staff. He will oversee
operations at Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor.
Hetch Hetchy Security Ranger - Nathan Puskar
Nathan has worked as a seasonal Law Enforcement Ranger in Yellowstone and
Organ Pipe Cactus. He will enter on duty in Hetch Hetchy in mid April.
Holding Facility - Noah Lovewell
Noah has worked the last two seasons as a Law Enforcement Ranger in Sequioa
at Cedar Grove and will enter on duty in mid March.
(K.Killian-12/28/10)
******************************
It is with great pleasure for me to announce several new hires and
promotions to the Yosemite Fire and Aviation Management Staff.
Bernard Spielman was promoted from Fire Captain to Fire Operations
Specialist (vice Jeff Panetta) GS-9 to be stationed in Yosemite Valley
working directly for Deron Mills the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations.
Bernard has been a solid, dedicated, professional Captain for the El Portal
Engine Company for many, many years. We are please to have Bernard's skill
and expertise in Wildland and Structure Fire.
Kelly Singer was promoted from Fuels Crew Captain to the Prescribed Fire
Specialist (vice Taro Pusina) GS-9. Kelly has also been with the Yosemite
Fire program for many years and comes exceptionally well prepared and
suited for this complex position of prescribed and managed fire. Kelly
will be reporting toTaro Pusina the Deputy Fire Chief of Prescribed Fire
and Fuels.
Parker Bevington has accepted his first career appointment as a
Driver/Operator for the Wawona Engine Company GS-5/6. Parker has spent
over 8 seasons working on various fire crews here in the park. We are very
excited to have his diversity and knowledge of the park join the Wawona
Engine Company.
Aaron Lugwig has accepted his first career appointment as a Driver/Operator
for the El Portal Engine Company as a GS-5/6. Aaron is also a long time
Yosemite Fire seasonal employee who brings a great deal of fuels and
monitoring experience to our program.
Manuel Aguilera is currently a tractor/plow operator for the Fish and
Wildlife Service in Florida. He has accepted the second position on the El
Portal Engine as a GS-6 Driver/Operator.
Please join me in congratulating and welcoming all of our new employees to
the Fire and Aviation Management Staff for 2011. I am very excited to
finally have most of our key leadership positions filled.
(K.Martin-12/28/10)
******************************
YARTS Schedule Set to Change/Park and Ride in Mariposa Will Open--The YARTS
Park and Ride facility on Joe Howard Street (behind Rite Aid) will go into
service on Monday, January 3rd, 2011. The facility will has 84 parking
spaces of all types, 6 bike lockers (soon), a restroom, security cameras,
and even picnic tables. There is still some landscaping work to be done,
but it still looks pretty good.
The bus will NOT pull into the lot, but will load from the bus stop shelter
on Joe Howard Street.
Please Note: Putting the park and ride into use will alter the schedule a
little and we encourage you to make yourself familiar with the new schedule
at the stops or by going on line to www.yarts.com.
The town of Mariposa does not have an excess of parking and all-day
commuter parking compounds the problem. We encourage you to use the new
lot to help ease the parking situation in the business district.
We hope that you will enjoy being able to use the new parking facilities
and that you will spread the word about it and the schedule changes to your
co-workers who may be on vacation for the holidays.
(D.Whittington-12/28/10)
Acting Designations
Mae Frantz will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division
December 27-28. You may phone Mae at her El Portal office at 379-1218.
Holly Fetzer Fickler will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning
Division December 29-30. You may phone Holly at her El Portal office at
379-1217. (D.Harrison 12/23/10)
******************************
Mary Kline will be Acting Chief of Interpretation December 23-31, 2010.
She can be reached at 372-0645 or you can leave a message with Rhonda
Soden at 372-0290. (R.Soden-12/22/10)
******************************
Glenn Dean will be Acting Safety Officer Dec 20 - Jan 3, 2011. He can be
reached at 209-379-1064.(C.Ronay-12/21/
******************************
Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger until further notice.
Shawn Cave will be Acting Canyon Ranch Subdistrict Ranger until February
12, 2011. (K.Killian-12/21/10)
******************************
Ron Gaunt will be the Acting Design Branch Chief for the Project Management
Division Monday, December 27 - Thursday, December 30, 2010. He can be
reached at 379-1027.
(S.J.Henderson-12/21/10)
******************************
Sue Vezeau (209-379-1458) will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and
Social Sciences Monday, December 27- Thursday, December 30.
Bret Meldrum will also be available via cell phone for the duration of this
time. (B.Meldrum-12/21/10)
******************************
Victoria (Tori) Seher will be Acting Branch Chief of Wildlife Management
Monday, Dec. 28 - Thursday, Dec 31. (S.Thompson-12/20/10)
******************************
Marvin Mann will be Acting Chief of BRM December 27 though January 5, 2011.
(W.Malone-12/20/10)
******************************
During the holidays, the following people will be Acting Branch Chief,
Vegetation and Ecological Restoration Dec 27 to 29 - Carol Knipper
(209-379-1097). (L. Acree-12/21/10)
******************************
Alan Hawksley will be Acting B&G Branch Supervisor Dec. 17-30; Matt
Bablitch will be Acting Historic Preservation Shop Supervisor Dec. 10-30.
(T.Darcy-12/15/10)
******************************
A.O. Acting assignments: 12/28-30 - Cindy Whitten (1868); and Dan Sohn
(x1173). Katariina will be available by cell phone and email.
(P.L.Humphrey-12/16/10)
******************************
Jeremy Brown will be Acting Trails Supervisor Dec. 13 - Jan. 3. (D. Kari -
12/10)
******************************
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
call 379-1282 or 379-1104. (J. Bayless - 6/3/10)
******************************
Jennifer Hardin is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology December 27 - 31.
(L.Kirn-12-13-10))
******************************
Jana Friesen McCabe will be Acting Branch Chief for Public Outreach and
Engagement until December 30. (D.Sisson-12/14/10)
******************************
Acting Branch Chiefs for Contracting & Procurement for the month of
December.
Dec. 28-30-Gina Bissmeyer. (L.Schafer 12/15/10)
******************************
December 27-28, Mark Butler, Chief of Project Management, will be acting
superintendent. Tom Medema, Chief of Interpretation and Education, will be
acting deputy superintendent.
Happy Holidays to all. - Don Neubacher
******************************
Jim Roche will be the Acting Branch Chief for Physical Science and
Landscape Ecology. Jim can be reached at 379-1446. (J.Meyer-12/27/10),
******************************
Dave Humphrey (379-1029) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science on Dec 27-30. (N.S.Nicholas-12/27/10)
Construction Update
Update (12/20) - El Portal Complex Photovoltaic (PV) System (July 22, 2010
- January 2011)
Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] began work at the El
Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. Contractors work Monday - Thursday.
Last Week's Progress, Parking, and more:
On Wednesday (12/15), the contractor worked to install PV panels
on the upper parking deck (carport 6).
The contractor (PIA) also worked to run conduit and pull conductor
from the panel string to the inverters and then to the transformer
in order to finalize all necessary connections.
This week employees will be able to use carports 1, 2, and 3 for
parking.
Please use extreme caution when you are near the construction
areas. Please do not cross through the barrier tape or enter the
"hard hat only" zones without your hard hat.
There have been 2,220 panels installed so far with 600 to go to
get to the final number of 2,820!
Overall, the Design/Build Install Renewable Energy Equipment at the El
Portal Complex is going well and proceeding on schedule. (M. Ortiz -
12/20/10)
Community News
There will be no Sal's this Thursday, December 30. The next Sal's will be
January 13. The 2011 YEA Board looks forward to seeing you
then.(M.Dale-12/28/10) *****************************
New Years Service 10:00pm. Bring in the New Year with prayer and
Communion. (F.Moore-12/22/10)
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