2018 Fire and Smoke Impact Reports

[Jimr]

The whole Owens/Long valley are cover in a thick, smoky haze. From Bishop, you can't see the Sierra at all. French canyon and Granite park are hazy looking West, but air quality seemed o.k.

[tarbuckle]

Don't plan on heading North anytime soon

[Immelman]

Spent the past week in Tahoe doing family activities. Most days had a light haze of smoke but nothing unpleasant. I think yesterday we began to get light smoke from the fire in Redding. We had one perfectly clear day. Day hiking in Desolation wilderness up to around 8,500 was enjoyable and mostly clear on Thursday 6/26.

Just drove 395 Minden to Lee Vining early this morning, with bad smoke all the way. The sun rose a dark orange orb near Minden which was surprising, I did not expect it that far north. My plan was to do a trip out of North Lake today, but am having second thoughts. A ranger at Info NF here in Lee Vining told me they experienced poor air quality a couple days ago, out of Pine Creek, even at higher elevations (11,000).

[wildhiker]

Spent the weekend at our cabin off I-80 in Alta. Lots of smoky haze from the Carr file near Redding. Dayhiked up on the slopes of Castle Peak (north of Donner Summit) on Saturday - good visibility was only a couple of miles, with mountains 5 miles away poorly defined, and 10 miles away just barely outlined. On Sunday, went over to north Lake Tahoe and hiked the Tunnel Creek road trail and Flume Trail out of the Incline Village area. In the morning, visibility was only one or two miles - you could just see the edge of the lake from the trail, but nothing beyond. By mid-afternoon, it had improved a bit and we could see the Rose Knob ridge pretty well from Incline Village (about 5 miles away). Overall, the whole northern Sierra is covered in this haze with very limited visibility. I'm afraid it's going to stay that way until some big weather event clears it out.
-Phil

[mrphil]

I'm in Reno right now. Far worse than yesterday. Smells horrible, minimal visability, eyes burning. When we came over yesterday afternoon stopped at Echo Lake up in Desolation...no. Tahoe basin...disgusting. Mt Rose was bad as well, and from what we were able to see of the peaks surrounding Tahoe, no reprieve to be found. We had hoped to get out and do some hiking over the next couple days, but honestly, I wouldn't even do it with someone else's lungs.

I hate to say it, but I think we'll just hang out in the casino and enjoy the fresher air...cig smoke, cheap perfume, and all.

[mrphil]

Also wanted to add; talked to a Southwest flight crew that had just come in from Phoenix. They said that there's a solid band of smoke with a ceiling at about 15k down to about 5k.

[maverick]

Mono Co Sheriff's Dept:

Lions Fire Update

The Lions Fire is estimated to be 4,415 acres and 92% contained. It showed 138 acres of growth yesterday. Fire activity is primarily on the western flank, where the fire continued to back into the Cargyle Creek Drainage on the U.S. Forest Service - Sierra National Forest.

Today firefighters are looking to suppress the fire through confine and contain strategies, looking for indirect handline in the steep, inaccessible areas. Crews have numerous rock barriers that they can use to help build this line.

Crews are also looking for locations to completing burning operations to create a blackline to remove fuels in front of the fire. Their current focus in the northeast flank from Fern Lake to Iron Mountain to secure that fireline to protect the developed areas in the Reds Meadow Valley.

Fire behavior remains low to moderate intensity with occasional tree torching. The area has seen approximately 50% tree mortality from bark beetles.

National fire activity has increased immensely and the nation is now at a preparedness level of 5. The Lions Fire currently has 106 total personnel assigned, including four crews and three helicopters. More resources are on order.

Warmer and drier conditions are in the forecast, but there is still the potential for lightning and showers in the area.

Closures: There is an emergency trail closure for the Fern Lake and Beck Lake Trails on the Inyo National Forest and emergency trail closures and a Forest Order to close the area on the Sierra National Forest (west of the North Fork of the San Joaquin River, north of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River and South of Iron Creek).

There is currently no threat to life or property. The Reds Meadow Road and all services in the Reds Meadow Valley, including Devils Postpile National Monument,and Rainbow Falls, remain open. Smoke may be visible from Minaret Vista, Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Mountain, areas along the Reds Meadow Road, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The Ferguson Fire to the north and west has been impacting the area with smoke as well.

[maverick]

Inciweb:

Engines: 244 Water Tenders: 47 Helicopters: 14 Crews: 92 Dozers: 77 Total Personnel: 3,766

Firefighters had a productive night with tactical firing operations as they made progress toward full suppression on the Ferguson Fire. Officials reported the fire grew by 2,178 acres overnight and was at 56,659 acres as of 6 p.m. Containment is at 30 percent.

Crews burned south along Wawona Road (Highway 41) from Henness Ridge toward Wawona Campground; they will continue, as conditions allow, until they reach Wawona Campground. Further south, firefighters mopped up two spot fires from earlier in the day and continued building containment lines around Roundtree Saddle. Once Roundtree Saddle is secure, crews will begin tactical firing toward Chowchilla Mountain and Wawona Campground.

Securing the southeast quadrant of the fire is a priority in keeping the fire from spreading into Yosemite National Park and the populated areas south of the park. These efforts will ensure Ponderosa Basin and surrounding areas are secure as well.

North of the fire crews successfully burned south from Merced Grove to provide further protection for the park’s iconic stand of giant sequoias. Firefighters will burn off of the road on Pilot Ridge along the Mariposa-Tuolumne county line today, weather permitting. Containment lines around Anderson Valley were widen in anticipation of the burns.

Residents can expect to see increased smoke during the next few days as firing operations continue. Tactical firing is an effective way to reduce fuel loads while simultaneously widening or extending containment lines. It can reduce the duration and intensity of wildfires, particularly by decreasing available fuels and weakening the fire as it approaches containment lines.

During all tactical firing operations on the Ferguson Fire, firefighters and law enforcement maintain a presence in evacuated communities to ensure home and structure safety.

Air quality is likely to decrease as a result of increased smoke from the firing operations. Residents can monitor the latest air quality and health advisories at:

· https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/YosemiteArea

· https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra

Natural resource specialists will begin surveying the western side of the fire today to assess areas requiring repair and mitigation. Burned Area Emergency Response teams play an important role in rehabilitating the land after damaged from the constructing of containment lines and other suppression tactics.

Yosemite National Park closure: Yosemite National Park officials enacted closures July 25 for the Yosemite Valley and Wawona areas, as well as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The park is expected to reopen Aug. 3, conditions permitting. For more information, go to: nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.

Mandatory Evacuations: Areas that are currently under a mandatory evacuation include:

· Anderson Valley

· Cedar Lodge/Indian Flat Campground

· East Westfall Road and all side roads

· El Portal Trailer Court

· Foresta

· Incline Road from Foresta Bridge to the last BLM campground

· Old El Portal

· Old Yosemite Road

· Ponderosa Basin Community

· Rancheria Flat – Government Housing

· Savage’s Trading Post

· Yosemite View Lodge

· Yosemite West

Advisory Evacuations: This is NOT an Evacuation Order. This is an advisement only of a potential Evacuation Order should conditions change.

· Monte Vista

· Vista Lago

· Triangle Road from East Westfall to Highway 49 South and all side roads

Road Closures:Highway 140 is closed from the entrance of Yosemite National Park to 1.5 miles east of Midpines. Incline Road, River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all campground areas along Highway 140, Foresta Road, Anderson Valley Road, Summit Road and Old Yosemite Road are closed.

Triangle Road from East Westfall Road to Highway 49 South.

Chowchilla Mountain Road at Highway 49 South, Harris Road at Highway 49 South, and all roads inside the Ponderosa Basin subdivision.

Wawona Road (Highway 41) between Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona and Bridalveil Falls Road in Yosemite Valley.

Red Cross Shelters:

· Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones St., Mariposa, CA 95338

Animal Shelters:

· Small animals: Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones St., Mariposa, CA 95338

· Large animals: 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338

[maverick]

No wonder they are keeping it closed till at least Friday (4th).

[maverick]

Same thing, smokey.