Yosemite Lightning Fires – Update #7, Update #8 combined

Yosemite National Park continues to experience cool temperatures and thunderstorms. No new fires have been detected since May 30. No closures are associated with these fires, and smoke production has been minimal. All of these fires are within the Park Boundary.

The protection of human life and property is the top priority for Yosemite’s fire management staff, as well as the preservation of natural and cultural resources, and the preservation and restoration of fire-dependent ecosystems. Each fire is managed individually to achieve one or more objectives in the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Strategies employed to meet these objectives may include full suppression, containment line building, use of natural barriers, monitoring, and other management techniques or combination of techniques.

The Grouse fire continues to be the most active fire. Fire managers in the next few days are planning to fire and black line along the handline that was put in place by crews over the last few days. Atmospheric conditions remain favorable for smoke dispersion and the primary importance of this line. The line confines the fire to the Grouse Creek drainage. It is bounded by the Wawona Rd to the west, Glacier Point Rd to the south
connecting to the black line on the northeast near the boundary of the 1990 Steamboat fire.

The fire is staffed with 83 personel: Crews are from: Yosemite NP; the
Black Eagles' from Sequoia Natioanl Forest; Alpine Hotshots form Rocky
Mountain NP; and the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area fire module.

Wilderness Fire Zone:
Grouse Creek (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.) This is an important fire for forest restoration, and will be managed for multiple objectives. The fire began May 30, and is burning in brush, and down logs, on a southwest aspect. It has grown to approximately 16 ac; it has slowed due to the cool temperatures and cloud cover. It is within the 1990 “Steamboat” fire perimeter, and it is east of the Wawona Rd (Hwy 41). It continues to have good potential for growth. Smoke is visible from many locations in the Park (Foresta, El Portal and many roads into the Park).

Indian Creek (.1 ac, 37 46.449x119 35.150; 7400’, Mariposa Co.) This fire began May 30. It is burning approximately one mile north of the rim of the Valley, in needle litter and down trees. Multiple fires have burned in this area since the 1970s. It has low to moderate potential for spread. It is being is periodically monitored by and ground resources. Smoke has not been visible during the last few days.

Smith (.25 ac, 37 55.142x119 45.428, 6400’, Tuolumne Co.) This fire began May 30, and is burning within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter; approximately 2 miles northeast of the Cottonwood fire (05.18.09 start). It is burning in whitethorn, down logs and standing dead trees (snags). It has moderate potential for growth, and is being monitored by ground and air resources.

Dark Hole Fire (37 50.721 X 119 36.633, Mariposa Co), started May 26. This lightning-caused fire is located near the Yosemite Creek Campground access road. This fire is smoldering in red fir and lodgepole pine litter and duff. It continues to be minimally active and is monitored by ground and air.

Pit Fire (37 48.063 X 119 31.201, Mariposa County), started May 26. This lightning-caused fire is about 1/10th of an acre and is located near the Snow Creek trail. This fire has shown minimal activity, and is being monitored

Mono (37⁰40’ 24.24” 119⁰45’ 19.45”, Mariposa Co), started May 18 – This lightning caused fire is located in Mariposa County, within the Illilouette Basin and Yosemite’s wilderness. This fire has had minimal activity and no smoke is visible, but will be monitored.

Suppression Zone:
Cottonwood (37⁰54’13.68” 119⁰47’41.64”), started May 18 – As of May 27, 2009 the Cottonwood Fire is controlled at 96 cres. This fire continues to be patrolled.