High Sierra Topix

As of Thursday, it was much better. Some smoke haze in Bishop, but nothing like the photos from a week ago. No visible smoke in the Rock Creek area. In the afternoon, 4th Recess Lake was hazy, but it dissipated. No smoke at all on Friday or Saturday (Pioneer Basin, then out to Mosquito Flat), although looking down Mono Creek I could see a smoky/smoggy layer in the distance. Driving up 395 yesterday it was hazy but not terrible.

Aspen fire smoke plume showing on above link is about nil, increase in acreage burned has been static for last few days, and status shows 90% containment with full containment forecast for August 24. Also apparently will allow some parts to continue to burn and smolder as related can expect some smoke locally in canyon for rest of summer. Would expect the residual smoke to most likely to effect Middle and North Fork of the San Joaquin River canyon areas most like Mammoth and the Ritter Range and less so areas of the South Fork. Fish Creek areas south of Silver Divide may be iffy. This is all good news for this person that had been delaying reservations on a wilderness permit for later this month in that zone.

Yosemite and Mammoth -
Best conditions possible...(except for that low water issue.)
If thinking about backpacking our Sierra...Go now!

Another major fire just started in the lower Clavey River.

inciweb page:

Growth Potential: extreme

============================
The Rim Fire is burning up a north facing slope to the south of the Clavey River towards Jawbone Ridge on the Groveland Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. Firefighting aircraft are on scene with ground units en route to the very isolated and steep Clavey River Canyon area about one and a half miles east of the confluence with the Tuolumne River.

The fire continues to move up the south slope on the Clavey River drainage. The spread appears to be caused by material rolling out with up slope runs on Jawbone Ridge. Fixed wing aircraft have been successful in holding the fire to the top of Jawbone Ridge between the Tuolumne River and the Clavey River but is expected to continue it’s up canyon spread.

Direct line suppression efforts are impeded by difficult access and steep inaccessible terrain. A combination of direct and indirect attack will be uses on this incident. Active fire behavior today raises safety concerns for crews adjacent to the fire’s edge. Smoke exposure within the deep drainage of the Clavey River will be an issue for fire crews as well.

The Rim fire has now crossed 120 and is at 10,000 acres
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3660/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hi,

The Rim Fire is reported to be affecting air quality in northwestern Yosemite.

Anyone know the extent to which it might be affecting air quality in adjacent areas? - NorthEASTERN Yosemite; Sonora Pass; west or central sections of Emigrant Wilderness; etc.

- Elizabeth

The American fire has the Tahoe basin completely socked in with smoke. Visibility less than a mile.
I'm guessing Deso has similar conditions.

Rim fire update: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3660/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fire has ballooned to 53,866 acres , and dropped from 5% containment to 2%.
Other impacts of this fire some may not be aware of: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/puc ... er-/nZYkL/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

well, SF. Why not cover HH in a big dome. Not like the ash won't settle out in Crystal springs.

I'm more concerned about Flip not being able to get to work.

maverick wrote:Rim fire update: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3660/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fire has ballooned to 53,866 acres ,

That's about 37,000 acres in one day! That has to be a typo