Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, June 29, 2009

Weather
Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southwest
between 14 and 17 mph. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. West southwest wind between 11 and 14 mph becoming light.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high
near 96. North wind between 3 and 11 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low
around 63. West southwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny and hot, with a
high near 97. East southeast wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a
low around 61.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Northeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming west.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming east northeast between 11 and 14 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West southwest wind 5 to 13 mph becoming north.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 9 mph becoming east.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. East wind between 3 and 11 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 60.

Tuolumne Area
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 72.
North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south southwest between 15 and 18 mph. Winds could gust as
high as 22 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around
46. Southwest wind between 13 and 16 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 69.
North northwest wind at 11 mph becoming southwest.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low
around 44. West southwest wind between 10 and 13 mph becoming light.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high
near 70. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a
low around 42.

Park News
.

TUOLUMNE RIVER PLAN SUMMER WORKSHOPS
As part of the continuing public involvement process for the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River
Comprehensive Management Plan (Tuolumne River Plan), all interested members of the public
are invited to attend two summer planning workshops. Each will take place at Parsons Lodge in
Tuolumne Meadows from 11am-3pm. Come find out the latest about planning for Tuolumne
Meadows and the entire 54-mile river corridor within Yosemite National Park. The Draft Tuolumne
River Plan/Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be released for public comment in
January 2010. Bring a lunch and be prepared for a 30-minute walk from the parking area to
Parsons Lodge.
July 17 HOT TOPICS IN THE TRP Learn about the latest issues currently being discussed by the planning team and
park managers. Share your ideas!

August 21 SNEAK PEAK OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Come and learn about the Tuolumne River Plan's range of draft alternatives,
including a sneak peak at the agency's preferred option.

HIGH COUNTRY OPEN HOUSES IN TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
Save the dates for July 18 and August 22 as the NPS hosts two open houses dedicated to
planning efforts focused on the high country. Displays will be set up outside the Tuolumne
Meadows Visitor Center and project managers will be on hand to answer questions. Each open
house will also feature an opportunity for field visits to the various project areas. Additional details
will be announced in a future e-newsletter. Projects will include:
Tuolumne River Plan
Tenaya Lake Area Plan
Tioga Road Trailheads Project
High Elevation Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery and Stewardship Plan
For more information about each of these projects, visit online at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/currentplans.htm. (K Rylands 6/29/09)

The Human Resources Office will be closed today from 3:00 - 4:30. Please plan accordingly (I
Keheley 6/29/09)

Please be advised that the Contracting Office will be closed to visitors every Wednesday,
starting July 1st, for administrative contracting operations. The closure is in effect through the
end of FY09.
In the event of an emergency, please contact Pat Lendvay Humphrey at 379-1007 or Lorene
Schafer at 379-1873. (L.Sheetz, 6/26/09)

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Daily Report submission standards have changed! Bulleted headlines in the Happening
Today in Yosemite section will be limited to events/reminders happening today, and will be limited
to 140 characters. Submissions in the remaining sections will generally be limited to 150 words,
with the exception of updates and news releases. Submitted items may be edited for length!
Submissions will generally be run for two days only, with a reminder in the Happening Today
section on the day of the item/event.

Routine updates will be published in full on the following schedule unless the information included
within them needs to be immediately disseminated. Time-sensitive items and reminders will be
extracted from these updates and included in the Happening Today in Yosemite section.

Monday: News Releases and Construction Updates and HR Updates
Tuesday: Bear Activity
Wednesday: Safety Tip
Friday: Community Events Happening this Weekend (reminder only) (M. Kline, 6/24/09)

Updates

Yosemite National Park Fire Update The Grouse and Harden fires in Yosemite National Park have resumed growing after several
inactive days due to rain and cloudy, cool conditions. Now that a high pressure system has
returned with high temperatures and low humidity, activity has increased on the fires. Personnel

are actively managing the fires to achieve specific protection and resource objectives.

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.

Park staff continues to monitor smoke and work closely with Mariposa and Tuolumne County Air
Pollution Control Districts to address air quality concerns. Managers have identified actions that
will be taken to meet incident objectives and minimize impacts to the park and surrounding
communities. Smoky conditions may exist from time to time within the park. Residents and
visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts to health. To see photos

showing air quality, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

Wilderness Fire Zone:

Grouse (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.) The fire began May 30, and has grown
to approximately 75 acres. Personnel are working ahead of the fire implementing management
actions along Steamboat Ridge to prevent northward fire spread. On Sunday, personnel will take
measures to hold the fire in Grouse Creek drainage. The fire is visible along the Wawona Road
(Hwy. 41) and the Glacier Point Road. Temporary road closures may be enacted for visitor
safety.

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 20
acres and burning mostly in brush and Red Fir. Fire officials are assessing the need for
closures around Harden Lake, Smith Peak and the old Aspen Valley Rd.

Indian Creek (.1 ac, 37 46.449 x 119 35.150; 7400’, Mariposa Co) Started May 30. It is about
one mile north of the rim of the Valley, in needle litter and down trees and inactive at this time. It
has low to moderate growth potential. Occasional smoke is visible.

Mono (37 40 24.24 x 119 45 19.45, Mariposa Co), started May 18 and is currently inactive. It has
low to moderate potential for growth. Smoke is occasionally visible from the Glacier Point Road.

The Smith, Lehamite, Whitethorn, Pit and Dark Hole fires are out.

Suppression Zone:

Cottonwood (37 5413.68 119 4741.64, Tuolumne Co), started May 18. As of May 27, 2009 the

Cottonwood Fire was controlled at 96 acres. This fire has not shown any activity in several days.

Fire Information: Please call 209/375-9574

For Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire
; or email at:
yose_fire_information@nps.gov (P Moore 6/29/09)

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Yosemite News Release
June 25, 2009 Media Contacts:
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Rescued Park Visitors Return to Yosemite to Present Plaque to Park Ranger

Park visitors James Bachman and Dorothy Hovland, from Huntington Beach, CA, returned to
Yosemite today to present a plaque to Park Ranger Dan Abbe to show their appreciation for his
heroic efforts. Abbe rescued the pair after their truck and trailer slid off of Highway 41 and down
a steep hillside. The plaque was presented during a ceremony in Yosemite Valley.

While exiting Yosemite Valley and heading to home to southern California on May 26,
Bachman’s truck slid over the side of Highway 41 when he pulled into a dirt pullout. After
tumbling approximately 40 feet down the hillside, Bachman’s truck came to a rest on its side.
Other visitors witnessing the accident flagged Ranger Abbe to the scene. When Abbe arrived at
the vehicle, the engine compartment was on fire. Bachman and Hovland were unable to open the
door to their vehicle to escape. Abbe climbed on the truck and was able to pry the door open
allowing Bachman and Hovland to escape the vehicle. They climbed up to the roadside as the
truck and trailer were completely engulfed in flames. All three suffered smoke inhalation, but no
serious injuries.

“If it wasn’t for Dan, we wouldn’t have been able to get out of the vehicle. The engine started on
fire while we were still inside. Once Dan got us out, the fire got bigger. He is a very special
person and we are alive because of him,” said Bachman upon presenting the plaque to Abbe.

“We are so appreciative of the effort James and Dorothy have taken to recognize one of our Park
Rangers. This level of gratitude is rarely expressed by visitors and we are so thankful to have a
Ranger like Dan Abbe on our staff,” said Acting Deputy Superintendent Jim Hammet, during the
event (KCobb 6/25/09)

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Construction Project Status Report – 06/25/09

Projects Managed by the Project Management Division,
Construction Management Branch.

Rehabilitate Curry Village Lounge and Registration Buildings
The project is now substantially complete.

Big Trees Tram Replacement
GSA solicitation for offers closes June 26, 2009.

Procurement of 2 Hybrid Shuttle Busses
Purchase Request was submitted to YOSE Contracting on June 18, 2009.

Integrated Utilities Phase 2a
(Multiple utilities from the Ice Rink to Boys Town to the north end of Lower Pines CG)
Installation of thrust collars at Curry Village.
Work continues at Lower Pines lift station

Integrated Utilities Phase 3a (Water line from Lower Pines CG to the Ahwahnee)
This work is expected to begin mid July and continue into the fall 2009.

Integrated Utilities Phase 3b
(Utility corridor from The Ahwahnee to east Yosemite Village)
Design documents were scheduled to go to contracting for bidding on June 5, 2009.

Lower Tecoya Housing Utilities
(Water, sewer and power lines throughout the Lower Tecoya Housing area)
The project is being broken down into phases to occur during the summer/fall of 2009.

West Village Utility Corridor
(Lost Arrow Housing and Ranger Club areas)
Currently no activity.

Yosemite Lodge sewer line repairs
Work is underway in front of the Highland Court.

Hodgdon Meadow Generator
Start-up and training completed this week.

Relace Gas Chlorination Systems at 5 Utility Plants
Work has resumed at all sites.

Valley Loop Road
Northside Drive, Southside Drive, and El Capitan Crossover are now open for traffic.
However, throughout the month of June there will be intermittent one-lane closures at
various locations as crews complete punch-list items, with up to 15-minute delays. (The
afternoon showers have been delaying the final striping)

Wawona Tunnel Ventilation Repair
Continued installation of conduit and wire.
Continued installation of the MCC, transformer and, switchgear.

Wawona Road Rehabilitation
Design-resource investigations are ongoing.
th
Design review meetings comment are July 17
with compliance need by early August.

Arch Rock Entrance Station Rehab
Preconstruction conference was held on June 17.
On-site work will not begin until after Labor Day.

Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation
Please be prepared for up to 30 minute delays.

Yosemite Creek Campground Bridge
Bridge replacement work to occur late this fall.

Half Dome View Rehabilitation
On site work and scheduled closure of Half Dome View to begin June 25th.

Replace Primary Electric to Wawona Tunnel
This project is currently in the early design phase.