Yosemite Fires – Update #19 – July 5, 2009

While thousands of visitors came to experience the beauty of Yosemite National Park on July 4, fire personnel continued to manage the Grouse and Harden fires in the Park.

. The Grouse Fire is three miles southwest of Yosemite Valley and north of Glacier Point Road. The Grouse Fire is 2,300 acres and 50 percent contained

. The Harden Fire on the north side of the park, west of Harden Lake and northwest of White Wolf is currently 1,594 acres and 75 percent contained.

On the Grouse Fire, personnel are working to limit fire spread to an area east of the Wawona Road and north of Glacier Point Road. Due to fire activity near Wawona Road on Saturday, it was necessary to limit traffic to one lane during a part of the day to ensure safety for firefighters working on the road and for park visitors traveling the road. The day’s operations included conducting management ignitions and reinforcing containment lines to hold the fire within the established boundaries.

On the Harden Fire, personnel continue to reinforce containment lines. The fire has reached 95 percent of the anticipated acreage that managers planned for the incident. With the decrease in activity on the Harden Fire, resources will begin to be released from the assignment. “We are pleased with the results from this fire,” said Corky Conover, Harden Fire Incident Commander. “While it is not always possible to manage fires early in the season, this year’s conditions provided an opportunity to work with this fire within a defined area to meet multiple objectives.” These objectives include restoring fire dependent forest systems, managing smoke production, protecting wildlife habitat and preserving cultural and natural resources.

Personnel are working diligently to complete work on containment lines before there is a significant change in the weather early next week. Weather forecasters advise fire officials that several low pressure systems are heading toward the area, which may bring cooler temperatures and possible strong winds.

Even though the percentage contained is increasing and the fires are reaching the boundaries that managers set for the incidents, the fires are not out yet. Fire activity will continue within the perimeter for some time.

Park officials continue to monitor smoke and work closely with Mariposa and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts to address air quality concerns. Managers have implemented actions on the Grouse Fire to meet incident objectives and minimize smoke impacts to the park and surrounding communities. Smoky conditions may exist late evening and early morning within the park, and in surrounding areas. To see air quality data, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm

Travelers are advised of temporary road delays and closures, due to smoke and firefighters working along the Wawona Road and the Glacier Point Road. Travelers will see fire and smoke along the roads. For firefighter and driver safety, please use caution.

The following trail closures are in effect on the Harden Fire: Smith Meadow to White Wolf and Aspen Valley to White Wolf. There is an alternate route to Pate Valley from White Wolf, which bypasses the Harden Lake area.

Wilderness Fire Unit:

Grouse (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.), started May 30. It is approximately 2,300 acres and 50 percent contained. There are 358 personnel committed to the Grouse Fire. The planned management area for the incident is about 3,000 acres.

Harden (37 53.624 x 119 42.221; 7800’, Tuolumne Co); Lightning-caused, probably on June 8. It is north of White Wolf, west of Harden Lake and within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter. It is 1,594 acres, 75 percent contained and burning mostly in brush and Red Fir. Little growth is expected. Further updates on the Harden Fire will be provided as needed.

Fire Information: Please call 209/375-9574 and visit Inciweb @ http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1704, and http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1708

For Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire; or email at: yose_fire_information@nps.gov.

Yosemite National Park
Fire Education Office
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
209/372-0480 phone or
209/372-0491 phone