YNP- Wawona Prescribed Fire Update #2

Friday, October 17, 2008

YNP- Wawona Prescribed Fire Update #2

Yosemite National Park - Wawona Prescribed Fire Update #2
October 16, 2008
The prime objective of this prescribed fire is defensible space for the community of Wawona. By completing this portion of the project, fire managers will tie into last fall’s Jack fire and complete 620 acres of the north portion of this project (Segment A).
This prescribed fire is burning in heavy timber, and standing dead trees (snags). The area has not burned in over 70 years. It is burning on a north aspect and is predominately a ground fire. Consequently heavy residual smoke and natural burning of dead and down fuel will continue.
The fire is now burning on very steep slopes and approximately half way down the North slope of Turner Ridge, to Wawona Rd.
The smoke column is visible to a wide area in Madera and Mariposa Counties, and from many locations within the Park. As the fire continues to back down the slope it will near the Wawona Rd and could pose traffic hazards to due to smoke. Park traffic protection rangers will be available to assist in slowing traffic down.

Wawona Prescribed Fire heat signatures
10-16-08 - GeoMac

All drivers are to be alert to smoke signs on the road. Please slow and use caution in the area. . Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts. People with respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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Friday, October 17, 2008