WawonaNews.com - October 2021
Distant view of the front of the Wawona Hotel from the late 1800s. (National Park Service)
Nestled between Yosemite's ancient sequoias is the hidden history of Chinese immigrants
By Tonya Mosley and Allison Hagan
Yosemite National Park is known for its striking granite cliffs and ancient sequoia trees. But for many years nestled within that stunning scenery was the hidden history of the hundreds of Chinese immigrants who helped develop the park.
Their stories have remained largely unacknowledged for more than a century — until now. This month, Yosemite opened a restored Chinese laundry building on its grounds to the public. The exhibit will highlight the contributions of Chinese migrants to the park.
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Ranger Yenyen Chan played a crucial part in making the exhibit a reality. She's worked at the park since 2003 and spent years extensively researching the history of Chinese in Yosemite.
Chinese immigrants began arriving in greater numbers during the Gold Rush.
“Starting in 1848, they arrived in California just like people from all over the world. And they also started mining in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range,” Chan says. “But pretty soon afterward, within two years, it was very difficult to become really wealthy.”
By Tonya Mosley and Allison Hagan
Yosemite National Park is known for its striking granite cliffs and ancient sequoia trees. But for many years nestled within that stunning scenery was the hidden history of the hundreds of Chinese immigrants who helped develop the park.
Their stories have remained largely unacknowledged for more than a century — until now. This month, Yosemite opened a restored Chinese laundry building on its grounds to the public. The exhibit will highlight the contributions of Chinese migrants to the park.
Get local arts and culture news, artist resources and ways to stay creative at home sent to your inbox each week. Sign up now.
Ranger Yenyen Chan played a crucial part in making the exhibit a reality. She's worked at the park since 2003 and spent years extensively researching the history of Chinese in Yosemite.
Chinese immigrants began arriving in greater numbers during the Gold Rush.
“Starting in 1848, they arrived in California just like people from all over the world. And they also started mining in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range,” Chan says. “But pretty soon afterward, within two years, it was very difficult to become really wealthy.”
Chinese Laundry Building from 1947. (National Park Service)
Ah You, chef at the Wawona Hotel (National Park Service)
In 1850, the U.S. government passed the $20 per month Foreign Miners Tax, which made it difficult for immigrants to make a living mining. This led Chinese miners to look for other types of work.
Many workers took difficult, laborious jobs like helping build the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s after moving on from mining, Chan says.
When people first started flocking to Yosemite’s beautiful scenery, it was difficult to get to Yosemite Valley. Chinese workers were hired to build many of the early stage wagon roads in the park, she says.
Without the help of modern machinery, these workers used hand picks, shovels and wheelbarrows to build many of Yosemite’s primary roads.
The park’s elevation ranges from 2,000 feet to 13,000 feet above sea level, Chan says. Chinese workers helped build Tioga Road, which climbs from 6,000 feet to 10,000 feet in elevation and drops several thousand feet back down on the other side of the mountain.
“That was a 56-mile road that approximately 350 Chinese and 90 European-American road workers worked together to build in only 130 days,” she says. “So it was a pretty monumental feat.”
And the legacy of Chinese immigrants in Yosemite goes far beyond road workers: Several Chinese chefs made their mark on the area. Many Chinese immigrants used skills from home to work at hotels in the area as cooks and bakers, Chan says.
Ah You, for example, worked as the head chef at Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel for 47 years.
Another chef named Tie Sing worked as a cook for the U.S. Geological Survey for 30 years. He followed the map makers through the wilderness and cooked them “elaborate backcountry meals” — a difficult task during these several-week long trips, Chan says.
The mapmakers loved Sing so much that in 1899, they named Sing Peak after him.
In 1915, then-Assistant Secretary of the Interior Stephen Mather hired Sing to cook for his Mather Mountain Party trips. Mather was trying to convince Congress to form the National Park Service, which didn’t exist at the time. Within one year of the trips, Congress passed the Organic Act which established the NPS, Chan says.
“Those trips were so instrumental in convincing these people about the wonders of our wilderness areas,” she says. “So I like to think of Tie Sing of having this significant role in convincing Congress and the public of the need for the National Park Service.”
These Chinese workers largely stayed unnoticed and unrecognized for so many years, both during that time and the many decades of the park's history that followed.
Locals knew about the impact Chinese immigrants had on the area working on roads, in kitchens and in laundry facilities — but from 1882 to 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act put a gap in this history, Chan says.
“This history was just under the surface, and local people in and around Yosemite knew about the contributions of the Chinese. They helped work in the ranches, they helped in the farms,” she says. “But the story just hadn't been pieced together.”
Park Ranger Yenyen Chan (right) interacting with park visitors in the new Chinese Laundry Building exhibit at the Yosemite History Center in Wawona. (National Park Service)
Asian American visitors get a sense of pride seeing the park recognize their ancestors’ stories, she says.
As a park ranger, Chan aims to deepen visitors’ connections with Yosemite. She decided she wanted to inspire people to connect with nature after her first backpacking trip through the park as a teenager.
Park rangers are also storytellers, she says, who share tales of the animals, plants and cultural heritage of Yosemite.
“I think it's important to share the contributions made by all people in this country,” she says, “including people like Tie Sing and Ah You and the early Chinese who helped make Yosemite what it is today.”
Kalyani Saxena produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Todd Mundt. Allison Hagan adapted it for the web.
This segment aired on October 20, 2021.
As a park ranger, Chan aims to deepen visitors’ connections with Yosemite. She decided she wanted to inspire people to connect with nature after her first backpacking trip through the park as a teenager.
Park rangers are also storytellers, she says, who share tales of the animals, plants and cultural heritage of Yosemite.
“I think it's important to share the contributions made by all people in this country,” she says, “including people like Tie Sing and Ah You and the early Chinese who helped make Yosemite what it is today.”
Kalyani Saxena produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Todd Mundt. Allison Hagan adapted it for the web.
This segment aired on October 20, 2021.
Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions Lifted 10/19
Yosemite Fire Restrictions Rescinded
A combination of recent rain, snow, and cooler temperatures has reduced the fire danger within Yosemite National Park, enabling the Superintendent to lift fire restrictions put in place earlier this year.
By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c):
• All previously enacted fire restrictions are hereby lifted, and all associated orders rescinded.
• Campfires are once again permitted in the Yosemite Wilderness where not otherwise prohibited by regulation. Fires remain prohibited above 9600 feet and in other designated areas due to scarcity of wood and resource concerns. Where fires are permitted, existing campfire rings must be used.
• Campfires and cooking fires may be used in designated campgrounds, picnic areas, and residential areas in accordance with park regulations.
• Where wood gathering is permitted, only dead and down wood may be gathered.
• Extinguish cigarettes prior to disposal; filters must be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.
Cicely Muldoon 10/19/2021
Superintendent
Signed order link below.
Yosemite Fire Restrictions Lifted signed PDF
-NPS-
Yosemite Fire Restrictions Rescinded
A combination of recent rain, snow, and cooler temperatures has reduced the fire danger within Yosemite National Park, enabling the Superintendent to lift fire restrictions put in place earlier this year.
By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c):
• All previously enacted fire restrictions are hereby lifted, and all associated orders rescinded.
• Campfires are once again permitted in the Yosemite Wilderness where not otherwise prohibited by regulation. Fires remain prohibited above 9600 feet and in other designated areas due to scarcity of wood and resource concerns. Where fires are permitted, existing campfire rings must be used.
• Campfires and cooking fires may be used in designated campgrounds, picnic areas, and residential areas in accordance with park regulations.
• Where wood gathering is permitted, only dead and down wood may be gathered.
• Extinguish cigarettes prior to disposal; filters must be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.
Cicely Muldoon 10/19/2021
Superintendent
Signed order link below.
Yosemite Fire Restrictions Lifted signed PDF
-NPS-
- Air Quality: Yosemite Air Quality Page or airnow.gov or airnow.gov/fires
- Trail Closures: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
- Fire Restrictions: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/firerestrictions.htm
- National Weather Service Yosemite area forecast: www.weather.gov/hanford
- Sign-up for Alerts: go.nps.gov/alert
- Yosemite National Park Fire Information webpage: go.nps.gov/yosefire
- Facebook: @YosemiteFire
- Twitter: @YosemiteFire
Yosemite Valley Prescribed Burn October 21-23
On Thursday, October 21-Saturday, October 23, weather and conditions permitting, fire crews will begin prescribed burning units 11 & 16 in Yosemite Valley. Unit 11 is located south of Southside Drive near the El Capitan Crossover and Unit 16 is located between Southside Drive and the Four Mile trailhead. Ignitions will occur over both days. There will be possible trail closures in Yosemite Valley, including the Valley Loop Trail from the Four Mile trailhead to the El Captain crossover along Southside Drive. One lane traffic control will also be in place along Southside Drive in the area of the burn.
Prescribed burn units have been carefully designed to meet multiple objectives. The objectives of this prescribed burn are to restore and maintain plant communities shaped by Native Americans, restore fire and a more natural ecosystem structure to communities, maintain meadows and healthy stands of conifers, reduce hazardous fuels, and provide protection to infrastructure. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Yosemite fire and resources staff will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions.
Visitors and employees should be aware that smoke may be present starting Friday and could linger to a much lesser degree into next week as large logs are consumed. Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.
-NPS-
Printable Valley RX Flyer PDF
Printable Valley RX Map PDF
On Thursday, October 21-Saturday, October 23, weather and conditions permitting, fire crews will begin prescribed burning units 11 & 16 in Yosemite Valley. Unit 11 is located south of Southside Drive near the El Capitan Crossover and Unit 16 is located between Southside Drive and the Four Mile trailhead. Ignitions will occur over both days. There will be possible trail closures in Yosemite Valley, including the Valley Loop Trail from the Four Mile trailhead to the El Captain crossover along Southside Drive. One lane traffic control will also be in place along Southside Drive in the area of the burn.
Prescribed burn units have been carefully designed to meet multiple objectives. The objectives of this prescribed burn are to restore and maintain plant communities shaped by Native Americans, restore fire and a more natural ecosystem structure to communities, maintain meadows and healthy stands of conifers, reduce hazardous fuels, and provide protection to infrastructure. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Yosemite fire and resources staff will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions.
Visitors and employees should be aware that smoke may be present starting Friday and could linger to a much lesser degree into next week as large logs are consumed. Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.
-NPS-
Printable Valley RX Flyer PDF
Printable Valley RX Map PDF
- Air Quality: Yosemite Air Quality Page or airnow.gov or airnow.gov/fires
- National Weather Service Yosemite area forecast: www.weather.gov/hanford
Raise the Roof Fundraiser
A HUGE thank you to the Wawona Community for coming out and supporting us on Saturday. We raised $4,900 towards our ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraising.
We will be having another raffle Thanksgiving weekend. If you’d like to show your support, you may send checks in to YWECS, PO Box 2068, Wawona, CA 95389. We are also registered with AmazonSmile as a charitable foundation.
Stacy Boydstun
A HUGE thank you to the Wawona Community for coming out and supporting us on Saturday. We raised $4,900 towards our ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraising.
We will be having another raffle Thanksgiving weekend. If you’d like to show your support, you may send checks in to YWECS, PO Box 2068, Wawona, CA 95389. We are also registered with AmazonSmile as a charitable foundation.
Stacy Boydstun
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, October 12, 2021
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Sept. 15
3.3 – Accept Resignation for Sylvia Loza effective on October 14
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
Consideration and action on the approval of a contract with Esme McCarthy for financial/ accounting services for the 2021–22 school year.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, October 12, 2021
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Sept. 15
3.3 – Accept Resignation for Sylvia Loza effective on October 14
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR FOR FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR.
Consideration and action on the approval of a contract with Esme McCarthy for financial/ accounting services for the 2021–22 school year.
- APPROVE THE HIRING OF PETRONELLA GURULE AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT FOPR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR.
INFORMATION ITEMS
- YWECS FUNDRAISER DISCUSSION
- STAFF REPORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Fuels Reduction Grant For Wawona
Map showing area along Wawona Road where most of the fuels reduction work has been completed, and the areas of Wawona which qualify for the new grant
Wawona will soon be getting some much needed help with fuels reduction. Melinda Barret, from the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District has informed us that the county recently received a grant to do fuels reduction work in and around Wawona. At this time, the county is looking into project area boundaries and anyone who wants to participate will need to sign a Right of Entry and Environmental documents posted below. The county will be coordinating with WAPPOA to make sure any residents who sign the necessary forms will qualify for this program.
TO PRINT THIS DOCUMENT, CLICK ON THE "DOWNLOAD THIS PDF" LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO DOWNLOAD IT TO YOUR COMPUTER. THEN SIGN AND RETURN BY MAIL TO ADDRESS AT TOP OF FORM.
Map showing area along Wawona Road where most of the fuels reduction work has been completed, and the areas of Wawona which qualify for the new grant
Wawona will soon be getting some much needed help with fuels reduction. Melinda Barret, from the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District has informed us that the county recently received a grant to do fuels reduction work in and around Wawona. At this time, the county is looking into project area boundaries and anyone who wants to participate will need to sign a Right of Entry and Environmental documents posted below. The county will be coordinating with WAPPOA to make sure any residents who sign the necessary forms will qualify for this program.
TO PRINT THIS DOCUMENT, CLICK ON THE "DOWNLOAD THIS PDF" LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO DOWNLOAD IT TO YOUR COMPUTER. THEN SIGN AND RETURN BY MAIL TO ADDRESS AT TOP OF FORM.
Yosemite Fall/Winter Prescribed Burns 2021
Fall has arrived bringing cooler temperatures and precipitation in the forecast. With these favorable conditions approaching, Yosemite National Park hopes to build on its 51-year legacy of prescribed burning by conducting several prescribed fires in the Valley, Crane Flat, and Studhorse (Wawona) areas as conditions allow. In addition, pile burning is also planned in several other locations throughout the park.
Prescribed fire is the most efficient and effective way to decrease the risk of unwanted wildfires by reducing excessive fuel build-up, improve habitat for wildlife, mitigate future smoke impacts, encourage sprouting of seedling sequoia trees, restore cultural burning practices, and creating more drought and fire resilient forests.
All these benefits are accomplished by burning piles of pre-stacked wood and debris or by doing larger scale broadcast burns in strategic areas within the park. Prescribed burn units have been carefully designed to meet multiple objectives. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Yosemite fire and resources staff will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions.
This year has been one of the most devasting fire seasons on record nationally. Record acreage burned, loss of life, loss of homes, businesses and infrastructure have exceeded past years totals. Loss to such species as the Giant Sequoias, which only grow in California’s Sierra Nevada have been devastating. It is estimated that between 2020 and this year well over 10% of Sequoias have been lost to wildfire. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools to mitigate the risk of unwanted wildfire, reduce fire intensity, and protect infrastructure and natural resources.
Crane Flat
Units A, B, C: 461 acres
The units in Crane Flat are located along the intersection of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, south of the Crane Flat Look-out Road and Rockefeller Grove, and east of Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.
The prescribed burn objectives are to provide protection to the Crane Flat helibase, surrounding infrastructure, and Crane Flat campground. This maintenance burn will restore a more natural ecosystem structure to plant communities. It will provide a buffer above the Big Oak Flat Road and will enable fire managers to plan for a prescribed burn in the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. This burn is the first sequence enabling the Park to reintroduce fire in the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. Reintroducing fire will be the best way to protect the grove from future high severity wildfires.
Studhorse
Units 1-5: 261 acres
The units in Studhorse are located south of the community of Wawona and north of Highway 41, and 2 miles northwest of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
The prescribed burn objectives are to maintain healthy, resilient forests, provide community protection around the community of Wawona, and to provide protection to the surrounding communities. This burn is also the first sequence to enabling the Park to continue to prescribe burn within Mariposa Grove and reintroduce fire in the surrounding units to provide protection to the groves. Some of the first prescribed burns in Yosemite occurred in the Studhorse area in the 1970s.
Yosemite Valley
Units 11,13,15,16: 222 acres
These 4 units average 50 acres in size. Unit 11 is located south of Southside Drive near the El Capitan Crossover and Unit 16 is located between Southside Drive and the Four Mile trailhead loop. These two units will likely be burned during the same day. Unit 13 is in the El Capitan Picnic Area and unit 15 is located between the Merced River and Northside Drive about halfway between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan. Units 13 and 15 will most likely be burned during the same day.
The Yosemite Valley Burn Plan is comprised of 30 units within the upper and lower Yosemite Valley and 5 Parkwide units located east and west of the valley. The objectives of the Yosemite Valley prescribed burns are to restore and maintain plant communities shaped by Native Americans, restore fire and a more natural ecosystem structure to communities, maintain meadows and healthy stands of conifers, and provide protection to infrastructure.
Black Oak restoration and pile burning
Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions (CHIPS) crew composed of local residents and tribal members have been working on restoring California black oak groves in Yosemite Valley through tending in preparation for pile and prescribed burning. Black oak is a cultural keystone species for the park's seven affiliated tribes. Groves in Yosemite Valley were planted, tended, burned, and harvested by tribal members for centuries. They were removed from this role to the detriment of cultural traditions and the health of black oaks. Tribal and CHIPS crew members will tend to oaks and prepare the groves for prescribed burns. These activities will reestablish relationships with these groves, promote seedling and sapling recruitment and promote high-quality acorn production.
Residents and visitors should be aware that smoke will be present during all prescribed burning operations. Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.
-NPS-
For additional Information:
• Yosemite Fire Information: Yose_Fire_Info@nps.gov
• Yosemite Fire Information: 209-372-0329
• Yosemite National Park Fire Information webpage: go.nps.gov/yosefire
• Facebook: @YosemiteFire
• Twitter: @YosemiteFire
• Air Quality: www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring or airnow.gov/fires
Fall has arrived bringing cooler temperatures and precipitation in the forecast. With these favorable conditions approaching, Yosemite National Park hopes to build on its 51-year legacy of prescribed burning by conducting several prescribed fires in the Valley, Crane Flat, and Studhorse (Wawona) areas as conditions allow. In addition, pile burning is also planned in several other locations throughout the park.
Prescribed fire is the most efficient and effective way to decrease the risk of unwanted wildfires by reducing excessive fuel build-up, improve habitat for wildlife, mitigate future smoke impacts, encourage sprouting of seedling sequoia trees, restore cultural burning practices, and creating more drought and fire resilient forests.
All these benefits are accomplished by burning piles of pre-stacked wood and debris or by doing larger scale broadcast burns in strategic areas within the park. Prescribed burn units have been carefully designed to meet multiple objectives. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Yosemite fire and resources staff will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions.
This year has been one of the most devasting fire seasons on record nationally. Record acreage burned, loss of life, loss of homes, businesses and infrastructure have exceeded past years totals. Loss to such species as the Giant Sequoias, which only grow in California’s Sierra Nevada have been devastating. It is estimated that between 2020 and this year well over 10% of Sequoias have been lost to wildfire. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools to mitigate the risk of unwanted wildfire, reduce fire intensity, and protect infrastructure and natural resources.
Crane Flat
Units A, B, C: 461 acres
The units in Crane Flat are located along the intersection of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, south of the Crane Flat Look-out Road and Rockefeller Grove, and east of Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.
The prescribed burn objectives are to provide protection to the Crane Flat helibase, surrounding infrastructure, and Crane Flat campground. This maintenance burn will restore a more natural ecosystem structure to plant communities. It will provide a buffer above the Big Oak Flat Road and will enable fire managers to plan for a prescribed burn in the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. This burn is the first sequence enabling the Park to reintroduce fire in the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. Reintroducing fire will be the best way to protect the grove from future high severity wildfires.
Studhorse
Units 1-5: 261 acres
The units in Studhorse are located south of the community of Wawona and north of Highway 41, and 2 miles northwest of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
The prescribed burn objectives are to maintain healthy, resilient forests, provide community protection around the community of Wawona, and to provide protection to the surrounding communities. This burn is also the first sequence to enabling the Park to continue to prescribe burn within Mariposa Grove and reintroduce fire in the surrounding units to provide protection to the groves. Some of the first prescribed burns in Yosemite occurred in the Studhorse area in the 1970s.
Yosemite Valley
Units 11,13,15,16: 222 acres
These 4 units average 50 acres in size. Unit 11 is located south of Southside Drive near the El Capitan Crossover and Unit 16 is located between Southside Drive and the Four Mile trailhead loop. These two units will likely be burned during the same day. Unit 13 is in the El Capitan Picnic Area and unit 15 is located between the Merced River and Northside Drive about halfway between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan. Units 13 and 15 will most likely be burned during the same day.
The Yosemite Valley Burn Plan is comprised of 30 units within the upper and lower Yosemite Valley and 5 Parkwide units located east and west of the valley. The objectives of the Yosemite Valley prescribed burns are to restore and maintain plant communities shaped by Native Americans, restore fire and a more natural ecosystem structure to communities, maintain meadows and healthy stands of conifers, and provide protection to infrastructure.
Black Oak restoration and pile burning
Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions (CHIPS) crew composed of local residents and tribal members have been working on restoring California black oak groves in Yosemite Valley through tending in preparation for pile and prescribed burning. Black oak is a cultural keystone species for the park's seven affiliated tribes. Groves in Yosemite Valley were planted, tended, burned, and harvested by tribal members for centuries. They were removed from this role to the detriment of cultural traditions and the health of black oaks. Tribal and CHIPS crew members will tend to oaks and prepare the groves for prescribed burns. These activities will reestablish relationships with these groves, promote seedling and sapling recruitment and promote high-quality acorn production.
Residents and visitors should be aware that smoke will be present during all prescribed burning operations. Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.
-NPS-
For additional Information:
• Yosemite Fire Information: Yose_Fire_Info@nps.gov
• Yosemite Fire Information: 209-372-0329
• Yosemite National Park Fire Information webpage: go.nps.gov/yosefire
• Facebook: @YosemiteFire
• Twitter: @YosemiteFire
• Air Quality: www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring or airnow.gov/fires
Wawona School Fundraiser, Saturday Oct 9, Pine Tree Market
10am-2pm
Please support the school by coming to the fundraiser!! There will be various items and baked goods for sale.
Hope to see you there!
10am-2pm
Please support the school by coming to the fundraiser!! There will be various items and baked goods for sale.
Hope to see you there!
WAPPOA Meeting October 9
The WAPPOA Board has decided to cancel the in-person meeting and picnic scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9. We will have a Zoom meeting and I will send out the link and information on how to attend that next week. We will still have speakers from the NPS, County, Wawona school, etc. and will be speaking about issues pertinent to Wawona homeowners.
This was not an easy decision since we were really looking forward to getting everyone together again. We saw 3 factors that complicated hosting a meeting - the surge of COVID cases all over the San Joaquin Valley and the resulting lack of available healthcare to non-COVID emergencies, the air quality due to smoke from the Sequoia fires, and the possibility of a government shutdown. We communicated with our Park Superintendent, Cicely Muldoon, and she agreed with our analysis.
We will look forward to our April 9, 2022 meeting and hope that many of you will be able to attend - in person!!
Stay well
Trish P
The WAPPOA Board has decided to cancel the in-person meeting and picnic scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9. We will have a Zoom meeting and I will send out the link and information on how to attend that next week. We will still have speakers from the NPS, County, Wawona school, etc. and will be speaking about issues pertinent to Wawona homeowners.
This was not an easy decision since we were really looking forward to getting everyone together again. We saw 3 factors that complicated hosting a meeting - the surge of COVID cases all over the San Joaquin Valley and the resulting lack of available healthcare to non-COVID emergencies, the air quality due to smoke from the Sequoia fires, and the possibility of a government shutdown. We communicated with our Park Superintendent, Cicely Muldoon, and she agreed with our analysis.
We will look forward to our April 9, 2022 meeting and hope that many of you will be able to attend - in person!!
Stay well
Trish P
‘It’s time.’ Chinese American immigrant contributions to Yosemite get recognition
With principal donors, Franklin and Sandra Yee in attendance from Sacramento, the restored 1917 Chinese Laundry building at Wawona was dedicated Friday. The building will tell the story of Chinese American contributions to Yosemite's history. BY JOHN WALKER
Fresno Bee- Chinese American’s historic contributions to Yosemite National Park is new information for many visitors, including Chinese Americans.
Lifelong Yosemite visitor and a former California State Park superintendent, Jack Shu, learned about them just over a decade ago through a video by the National Park Service and Yosemite Conservancy, featuring Yosemite Park Ranger Yenyen Chan.
In his search to help make that information a regular part of the park’s origin story, a park ranger friend showed him an old building originally used as a laundry by Chinese workers at Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel.
“It was symbolic,” Shu said Friday morning, standing in front of that 104-year-old building. “It was symbolic of how the stories of Chinese in Yosemite was not being noticed. … This building was a storage facility for the stagecoach program. A sign, right over there, hung that said, ‘Carriage Shop.’”
There’s a new sign now, marking it as the Chinese Laundry Building – the joint project of many organizations and individuals. New exhibits inside tell the story of early Chinese contributions in Yosemite. It was unveiled Friday during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by officials and many members of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, who supported the effort.
Several attendees held handmade signs thanking the park and its partners. One read, “IT’S TIME!”
Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon saw it and agreed.
“It’s past time,” Muldoon added, met with a round of applause.
Fresno Bee- Chinese American’s historic contributions to Yosemite National Park is new information for many visitors, including Chinese Americans.
Lifelong Yosemite visitor and a former California State Park superintendent, Jack Shu, learned about them just over a decade ago through a video by the National Park Service and Yosemite Conservancy, featuring Yosemite Park Ranger Yenyen Chan.
In his search to help make that information a regular part of the park’s origin story, a park ranger friend showed him an old building originally used as a laundry by Chinese workers at Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel.
“It was symbolic,” Shu said Friday morning, standing in front of that 104-year-old building. “It was symbolic of how the stories of Chinese in Yosemite was not being noticed. … This building was a storage facility for the stagecoach program. A sign, right over there, hung that said, ‘Carriage Shop.’”
There’s a new sign now, marking it as the Chinese Laundry Building – the joint project of many organizations and individuals. New exhibits inside tell the story of early Chinese contributions in Yosemite. It was unveiled Friday during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by officials and many members of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, who supported the effort.
Several attendees held handmade signs thanking the park and its partners. One read, “IT’S TIME!”
Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon saw it and agreed.
“It’s past time,” Muldoon added, met with a round of applause.
Eric Leong of San Francisco expresses his feelings in his sign, as he talks with Yosemite Park Ranger Kara Stella, before dedication of the 1917 Chinese laundry building at Wawona, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. The building, principally was used to service the Wawona Hotel, was also used in various purposes over the years and is being rededicated to tell the story of Chinese American contributions to Yosemite’s history. JOHN WALKER JWALKER@FRESNOBEE.COM
“This is going to become normal now. We will always tell this story at Yosemite,” Muldoon told the crowd. “This is what we need to do across the National Park system, and it is people like you that have made this possible.”
Those people include Franklin and Sandra Yee, who donated $100,000 for the building’s renovation, and others who have given to Yosemite Conservancy, the park’s main philanthropic partner. The Yees have a cabin in Wawona just up the road from the Chinese Laundry Building, purchased in 1953 by Sandra’s father. Sandra said their donation is to honor the Chinese who came before them in Yosemite, including her parents.
Those people include Franklin and Sandra Yee, who donated $100,000 for the building’s renovation, and others who have given to Yosemite Conservancy, the park’s main philanthropic partner. The Yees have a cabin in Wawona just up the road from the Chinese Laundry Building, purchased in 1953 by Sandra’s father. Sandra said their donation is to honor the Chinese who came before them in Yosemite, including her parents.
Franklin and Sandra Yee from Sacramento, were principal donors in the restoration of the 1917 Chinese laundry building at Wawona which was dedicated Friday, Oct. 1,2021. The building was used as various things over the years and is being rededicated to tell the story of Chinese American contributions to Yosemite’s history. The Yees have long-standing family ties to Yosemite. JOHN WALKER JWALKER@FRESNOBEE.COM
BEGINNING OF THE NEW YOSEMITE HISTORY CENTER
The event made Friday an even more significant day in Yosemite’s history. Oct. 1 was also the park’s 131st birthday, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said, and the first day this fall that day-use reservations weren’t required to enter Yosemite.
Gediman called the unveiling of the Chinese Laundry Building a “longtime coming” and “just the beginning of telling more stories and really jumping into the complete and full history of Yosemite.”
The event made Friday an even more significant day in Yosemite’s history. Oct. 1 was also the park’s 131st birthday, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said, and the first day this fall that day-use reservations weren’t required to enter Yosemite.
Gediman called the unveiling of the Chinese Laundry Building a “longtime coming” and “just the beginning of telling more stories and really jumping into the complete and full history of Yosemite.”
Scott Gediman, Yosemite Park Public Information Officer, speaks during the dedication of the 1917 Chinese laundry building at Wawona, which was dedicated Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. The building, principally was used to service the Wawona Hotel, was also used in various purposes over the years and is being rededicated to tell the story of Chinese American contributions to Yosemite’s history. JOHN WALKER JWALKER@FRESNOBEE.COM
Park Ranger Adam Ramsey, who oversees park interpretation in Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, said the recent renaming of the Pioneer Yosemite History Center to the Yosemite History Center, where the Chinese Laundry Building is located along Forest Drive, will help make that possible. Yosemite’s leadership team approved the name change this summer. New signs are expected to be installed next year.
“Chinese people have been a big part of communities throughout the Sierra Nevada for a really long time, and it’s about time that we started sharing that history here in Yosemite,” Ramsey said. “The new Yosemite History Center shares the histories of people, mostly immigrants, who made the park what it is today.”
“Chinese people have been a big part of communities throughout the Sierra Nevada for a really long time, and it’s about time that we started sharing that history here in Yosemite,” Ramsey said. “The new Yosemite History Center shares the histories of people, mostly immigrants, who made the park what it is today.”
Ed Hung of San Francisco takes a photo of a Chinese laborer in an exhibit in the restored 1917 Chinese laundry building, after its dedication at Wawona, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. The building was used as various things over the years and is being rededicated to tell the story of Chinese American contributions to Yosemite’s history. JOHN WALKER JWALKER@FRESNOBEE.COM
Previous park documents described the history center – a cluster of historic buildings in Wawona, a relatively quiet corner of Yosemite – as a place for telling the history of Anglo-Americans, but research shows that almost no one associated with those buildings was Anglo, Ramsey said.
“The new Yosemite History Center is a place to share the stories of people who have lived in Yosemite, no matter the color of their skin, no matter the languages they speak,” Ramsey said. “They are all part of Yosemite history, and those people are all part of American history.
“Unveiling the Chinese laundry is just the beginning of a new Yosemite History Center. This ongoing effort will ensure the history that we share in Yosemite is as accurate, inclusive and inspiring as possible.”
The National Park Service plans to install more exhibits in the Chinese Laundry Building in the future.
“The new Yosemite History Center is a place to share the stories of people who have lived in Yosemite, no matter the color of their skin, no matter the languages they speak,” Ramsey said. “They are all part of Yosemite history, and those people are all part of American history.
“Unveiling the Chinese laundry is just the beginning of a new Yosemite History Center. This ongoing effort will ensure the history that we share in Yosemite is as accurate, inclusive and inspiring as possible.”
The National Park Service plans to install more exhibits in the Chinese Laundry Building in the future.
Fire Update October 2nd, 2021
As of October 2nd, Yosemite has had 50 fires started by lightning and 12 human-caused fires for the 2021 calendar year. The park is utilizing a mix of strategies to suppress, monitor, or contain these fires throughout Yosemite's fire-adapted ecosystems. Currently there are three active fires, two have been contained, one is in the process of being contained using control lines and natural barriers. Smoke from Regional fires may be seen throughout Yosemite.
Fire management actions have adhered to Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST). This minimizes impacts in the wilderness while allowing the healthy ecological effects of natural fire. The overall strategy for managing all wildland fires is to provide for the safety of employees and the public and protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.
As weather conditions change, fire managers are planning for fall prescribed burns in various locations within Yosemite NP. Additional information with location and dates will be released soon.
Tiltill
Location: North of Hetch Hetchy, Tiltill Valley
Size: 2,323 acres
Discovery Date: July 31st, 2021
Containment: 90%
Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning
County Line
Location: Near Yosemite Creek Campground Road, 8361’ elevation
Size: 224 acres
Discovery Date: June 28th, 2021
Containment: 100%
Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning
Lukens
Location: West of Lukens Lake, North of Tioga Road, 8243’ elevation
Size: 867 acres
Discovery Date: June 28th, 2021
Containment: 100%
Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning
Yosemite Fires Update 10.2.2021 PDF printable
PWR Fire Current Fire Situation (arcgis.com)
-NPS-
As of October 2nd, Yosemite has had 50 fires started by lightning and 12 human-caused fires for the 2021 calendar year. The park is utilizing a mix of strategies to suppress, monitor, or contain these fires throughout Yosemite's fire-adapted ecosystems. Currently there are three active fires, two have been contained, one is in the process of being contained using control lines and natural barriers. Smoke from Regional fires may be seen throughout Yosemite.
Fire management actions have adhered to Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST). This minimizes impacts in the wilderness while allowing the healthy ecological effects of natural fire. The overall strategy for managing all wildland fires is to provide for the safety of employees and the public and protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.
As weather conditions change, fire managers are planning for fall prescribed burns in various locations within Yosemite NP. Additional information with location and dates will be released soon.
Tiltill
Location: North of Hetch Hetchy, Tiltill Valley
Size: 2,323 acres
Discovery Date: July 31st, 2021
Containment: 90%
Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning
County Line
Location: Near Yosemite Creek Campground Road, 8361’ elevation
Size: 224 acres
Discovery Date: June 28th, 2021
Containment: 100%
Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning
Lukens
Location: West of Lukens Lake, North of Tioga Road, 8243’ elevation
Size: 867 acres
Discovery Date: June 28th, 2021
Containment: 100%
Strategy: Confine and Contain
Cause: Lightning
Yosemite Fires Update 10.2.2021 PDF printable
PWR Fire Current Fire Situation (arcgis.com)
-NPS-
- Air Quality: Yosemite Air Quality Page or airnow.gov or airnow.gov/fires
- Trail Closures: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
- Fire Restrictions: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/firerestrictions.htm
- National Weather Service Yosemite area forecast: www.weather.gov/hanford
- Sign-up for Alerts: go.nps.gov/alert
- Yosemite National Park Fire Information webpage: go.nps.gov/yosefire
- Facebook: @YosemiteFire
- Twitter: @YosemiteFir
There are changes in Yosemite’s Wawona, including a new name and more diversity
BY CARMEN KOHLRUSS - Fresno Bee
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 30
National Park Service documents written into the 2000s describe the Pioneer Yosemite History Center – a cluster of old buildings made into a historic village in Yosemite National Park – as a place for interpreting Anglo-American history, but “pretty much nobody associated with these buildings is Anglo-American.”
They were Chinese, African American, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Scottish and Irish immigrants, said Adam Ramsey, supervisory park ranger of interpretation in Yosemite’s Wawona District, which includes the history center.
Anglo-American can mean a few things, but it generally refers to someone of English descent, Ramsey said. Perhaps the phrase was mistakenly used to describe anyone white, the ranger added.
Yosemite is now working to tell a fuller story that includes all the groups who helped make Wawona and the entire park what it is today.
“I think that’s really important that we do that,” Ramsey said this week while walking through the history center, “and the work is done for us, it’s the truth! ... So that makes our job easy. It’s not like we’re trying to add a diversity story. It is the story.”
There are new exhibits in the history center working to tell more of those stories. That includes a Chinese Laundry Building, and exhibits in an old superintendent’s building that describe how hundreds of African American U.S. Army soldiers – the Black men often known as Buffalo Soldiers – were among Yosemite’s first stewards prior to the formation of the National Park Service.
A ribbon-cutting event to unveil the Chinese Laundry Building was planned for Friday morning – also the first day this fall that day-use reservations won’t be required to enter Yosemite.
PIONEER NO MORE, THERE’S A NEW NAME: YOSEMITE HISTORY CENTER
Another big unveiling planned for Friday: The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is now called the Yosemite History Center, a name change approved by Yosemite’s leadership team this summer. New signs are expected to be installed next year in this relatively quiet corner of the park, best known for the historic Wawona Hotel.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 30
National Park Service documents written into the 2000s describe the Pioneer Yosemite History Center – a cluster of old buildings made into a historic village in Yosemite National Park – as a place for interpreting Anglo-American history, but “pretty much nobody associated with these buildings is Anglo-American.”
They were Chinese, African American, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Scottish and Irish immigrants, said Adam Ramsey, supervisory park ranger of interpretation in Yosemite’s Wawona District, which includes the history center.
Anglo-American can mean a few things, but it generally refers to someone of English descent, Ramsey said. Perhaps the phrase was mistakenly used to describe anyone white, the ranger added.
Yosemite is now working to tell a fuller story that includes all the groups who helped make Wawona and the entire park what it is today.
“I think that’s really important that we do that,” Ramsey said this week while walking through the history center, “and the work is done for us, it’s the truth! ... So that makes our job easy. It’s not like we’re trying to add a diversity story. It is the story.”
There are new exhibits in the history center working to tell more of those stories. That includes a Chinese Laundry Building, and exhibits in an old superintendent’s building that describe how hundreds of African American U.S. Army soldiers – the Black men often known as Buffalo Soldiers – were among Yosemite’s first stewards prior to the formation of the National Park Service.
A ribbon-cutting event to unveil the Chinese Laundry Building was planned for Friday morning – also the first day this fall that day-use reservations won’t be required to enter Yosemite.
PIONEER NO MORE, THERE’S A NEW NAME: YOSEMITE HISTORY CENTER
Another big unveiling planned for Friday: The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is now called the Yosemite History Center, a name change approved by Yosemite’s leadership team this summer. New signs are expected to be installed next year in this relatively quiet corner of the park, best known for the historic Wawona Hotel.
Chinese Laundry Open House Reminder
A reminder that on Friday, Oct 1, from 2:00 to 3:00pm, the Interpretation Division is offering open house tours of the Chinese Laundry, Army Exhibit, History Center updates, and updates about our historic wagon collection to members of the Wawona community. Meet at the Covered Bridge!
This all hinges on the federal government remaining open as we start the new fiscal year. If the government shuts down on Oct. 1, the event will be canceled.
Thank you, and I hope to see members of the Wawona community in the Yosemite History Center on Friday!
Adam Ramsey
Supervisory Park Ranger
Wawona District Interpretation
Yosemite National Park
Work Cell: (209) 347-9122
They, them pronouns
A reminder that on Friday, Oct 1, from 2:00 to 3:00pm, the Interpretation Division is offering open house tours of the Chinese Laundry, Army Exhibit, History Center updates, and updates about our historic wagon collection to members of the Wawona community. Meet at the Covered Bridge!
This all hinges on the federal government remaining open as we start the new fiscal year. If the government shuts down on Oct. 1, the event will be canceled.
Thank you, and I hope to see members of the Wawona community in the Yosemite History Center on Friday!
Adam Ramsey
Supervisory Park Ranger
Wawona District Interpretation
Yosemite National Park
Work Cell: (209) 347-9122
They, them pronouns
Wawona Golf Course/Chowchilla Mountain Road Reopening
The Wawona Golf Course construction project has been completed and the Chowchilla Mountain Road in Wawona will be opening on October 1. (I. Rippetoe)
The Wawona Golf Course construction project has been completed and the Chowchilla Mountain Road in Wawona will be opening on October 1. (I. Rippetoe)
Message From Tom and Diane Bopp
As a National Park Service Volunteer, I gave five unscheduled outdoor concerts from August 23 to Sep. 12 from the porch of Hill’s Studio. Hill’s was the hub of entertainment in Wawona for most of the last century, and it’s easy to see why. Under Wawona’s crimson sunsets, deep-purple twilight and starlit skies, the music wafted across the green to the hotel’s veranda and beyond, while a dozen or so brought folding chairs and, as the summer heat gave way for an early-autumn chill, snuggled under blankets.
During the past ten days Diane and I closed escrow on our beloved Wawona home, canceled an escrow on a fatally-flawed cabin in nearby Fish Camp, and opened escrow on a little two-bedroom/1 bath place in San Luis Obispo County. Once settled, we’ll shop for a camper that will serve as our Wawona home when I return to perform there in the spring. Over the winter we intend to put out more Wawona Journal videos, work on book-projects and the like, and plan for a thirty-ninth season in Wawona.
For the last performance of the 2021 season, I closed with “Wawona Moon” (1925), the theme-song of the Wawona Hotel Orchestra that performed for dances in Hill’s Studio. As I sang under the setting moon, one could see on the upstairs veranda, silhouetted against the hotel, a couple dancing to the music. It was magic – beautiful to see. Did they feel the presence of some couple of their great-grandparents’ generation who danced to the same tune in the same place nearly a hundred years before? Or sense the spirits of many others who, over the millennia, have danced under the stars in Wawona? What a special place this is – Wawona shares the magic so generously!
Best wishes,
Tom & Diane Bopp
As a National Park Service Volunteer, I gave five unscheduled outdoor concerts from August 23 to Sep. 12 from the porch of Hill’s Studio. Hill’s was the hub of entertainment in Wawona for most of the last century, and it’s easy to see why. Under Wawona’s crimson sunsets, deep-purple twilight and starlit skies, the music wafted across the green to the hotel’s veranda and beyond, while a dozen or so brought folding chairs and, as the summer heat gave way for an early-autumn chill, snuggled under blankets.
During the past ten days Diane and I closed escrow on our beloved Wawona home, canceled an escrow on a fatally-flawed cabin in nearby Fish Camp, and opened escrow on a little two-bedroom/1 bath place in San Luis Obispo County. Once settled, we’ll shop for a camper that will serve as our Wawona home when I return to perform there in the spring. Over the winter we intend to put out more Wawona Journal videos, work on book-projects and the like, and plan for a thirty-ninth season in Wawona.
For the last performance of the 2021 season, I closed with “Wawona Moon” (1925), the theme-song of the Wawona Hotel Orchestra that performed for dances in Hill’s Studio. As I sang under the setting moon, one could see on the upstairs veranda, silhouetted against the hotel, a couple dancing to the music. It was magic – beautiful to see. Did they feel the presence of some couple of their great-grandparents’ generation who danced to the same tune in the same place nearly a hundred years before? Or sense the spirits of many others who, over the millennia, have danced under the stars in Wawona? What a special place this is – Wawona shares the magic so generously!
Best wishes,
Tom & Diane Bopp
Message From Our New District Ranger
On behalf of the Wawona Ranger Office, I wanted to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to the Wawona Community for your support and participation in former Wawona District Ranger Eric Scott's Retirement Celebration last month. We had a great turn-out and a fitting send-off for a man who gave so much to the agency and our community.
Since his departure, the Visitor and Resource Protection Division of Yosemite has selected me to serve as the next District Ranger for the Wawona District. My family has called Yosemite and Wawona home for the past 12 years, the longest time we've ever been in one place. Wawona has provided us with so much and we are truly grateful. I am honored to have been able to serve our community through the rollercoaster of challenges we've been faced with over the years, as well as enjoy the fun things that have bound the community together (I do miss those barn dances!). I am excited about the new role I will play in working with the community on a deeper and broader level, and to continue building and fostering positive relationships. Thank you to so many for your support and friendship. Please reach out any time.
Chad Andrews
Wawona District Ranger
Yosemite National Park
(W) 209-375-9520
(C) 209-742-8269
On behalf of the Wawona Ranger Office, I wanted to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to the Wawona Community for your support and participation in former Wawona District Ranger Eric Scott's Retirement Celebration last month. We had a great turn-out and a fitting send-off for a man who gave so much to the agency and our community.
Since his departure, the Visitor and Resource Protection Division of Yosemite has selected me to serve as the next District Ranger for the Wawona District. My family has called Yosemite and Wawona home for the past 12 years, the longest time we've ever been in one place. Wawona has provided us with so much and we are truly grateful. I am honored to have been able to serve our community through the rollercoaster of challenges we've been faced with over the years, as well as enjoy the fun things that have bound the community together (I do miss those barn dances!). I am excited about the new role I will play in working with the community on a deeper and broader level, and to continue building and fostering positive relationships. Thank you to so many for your support and friendship. Please reach out any time.
Chad Andrews
Wawona District Ranger
Yosemite National Park
(W) 209-375-9520
(C) 209-742-8269
State Route 41 HMA Removal and Replacement Project
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces the scheduled project to remove and replace existing asphalt pavement, seal pavement cracks and upgrade existing road signs, at various locations, of a 21-mile stretch of State Route 41 in Madera County.The following will occur:
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces the scheduled project to remove and replace existing asphalt pavement, seal pavement cracks and upgrade existing road signs, at various locations, of a 21-mile stretch of State Route 41 in Madera County.The following will occur:
- The rehabilitation project will happen at various locations, starting about two miles north of road 208 and ending just south of Royal Oaks Drive in Oakhurst.
- The project is scheduled to last 40 working days.
- Depending on location, work will begin either at 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. and go until 6:00 or 7:00 a.m., starting this Sunday night, September 19th.
- One-way traffic control will be in place during construction hours.
- Motorists can expect up to 10-minute delays. Closures may continue for longer periods of time if necessary, due to delays caused by weather or uncontrollable events that may occur. Caltrans reminds you to drive with extra care and allow additional time while travelling near construction zones.
Wawona Power Outage September 20th
PG&E will be doing a temporary commercial power outage in the Wawona area, on Monday September 20 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PG&E will be installing new equipment. For more information call Heather Gonzales, PG&E Outage Coordinator, at 209-726-5588.
PG&E will be doing a temporary commercial power outage in the Wawona area, on Monday September 20 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PG&E will be installing new equipment. For more information call Heather Gonzales, PG&E Outage Coordinator, at 209-726-5588.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of August 10
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of August 10
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF UNAUDITED ACTUALS REPORT FOR 2020-21
INFORMATION ITEMS
- YWECS FUNDRAISER DISCUSSION
- STAFF REPORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Opening Events for the Historic Chinese Laundry
On Oct. 1, 2021, there will be a series of opening events for the historic Chinese Laundry building at the Yosemite History Center. A small gathering of media, Yosemite Conservancy, and NPS personnel will host a brief ribbon-cutting, with limited attendance. Besides the ribbon cutting, NPS Interpretation is offering open house tours and updates about some of the other historic buildings in the area on that day.
Wawona Interpretation Supervisor Adam Ramsey welcomes members of the Wawona community to an open house event, specifically catering to Wawonans, on October 1, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. The event will involve brief tours and updates from people involved in various projects to revitalize the Yosemite History Center. Group sizes will be limited to decrease the risk of COVID transmission. Wawona community members will be divided into small groups and guided through four 10-minute presentation stations:
We're still developing plans for the big day, so the above list of presenters is a work in progress. Please reply with questions, and I'll try to get back to you in a timely manner. Please also distribute the above invitation to our Wawona community members.
The Chinese Laundry building will be open to the public only on a very limited basis until Spring 2022. We don't have regular open hours anticipated until April or May. Intermittent Fall/Winter hours will be posted later.
Thank you!
Adam Ramsey
Supervisory Park Ranger
Wawona District Interpretation
Yosemite National Park
Work Cell: (209) 347-9122
They, them pronouns
On Oct. 1, 2021, there will be a series of opening events for the historic Chinese Laundry building at the Yosemite History Center. A small gathering of media, Yosemite Conservancy, and NPS personnel will host a brief ribbon-cutting, with limited attendance. Besides the ribbon cutting, NPS Interpretation is offering open house tours and updates about some of the other historic buildings in the area on that day.
Wawona Interpretation Supervisor Adam Ramsey welcomes members of the Wawona community to an open house event, specifically catering to Wawonans, on October 1, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. The event will involve brief tours and updates from people involved in various projects to revitalize the Yosemite History Center. Group sizes will be limited to decrease the risk of COVID transmission. Wawona community members will be divided into small groups and guided through four 10-minute presentation stations:
- Chinese Laundry open house with Ranger Yenyen Chan
- Army/Buffalo Soldiers exhibit open house in Acting Superintendent's Office, with unconfirmed guest ranger
- Historic wagon collection update with Burrel "Buckshot" Maier and possibly another resource expert
- Yosemite History Center status update with Ranger Jeff Lahr
We're still developing plans for the big day, so the above list of presenters is a work in progress. Please reply with questions, and I'll try to get back to you in a timely manner. Please also distribute the above invitation to our Wawona community members.
The Chinese Laundry building will be open to the public only on a very limited basis until Spring 2022. We don't have regular open hours anticipated until April or May. Intermittent Fall/Winter hours will be posted later.
Thank you!
Adam Ramsey
Supervisory Park Ranger
Wawona District Interpretation
Yosemite National Park
Work Cell: (209) 347-9122
They, them pronouns
YOSEMITE WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL UPDATE
The Board of Directors for YWECS is excited to start another school year and we are so fortunate to have Stacy and Sylvia back again after such a trying year. However, the road to a new and successful school year is not without its challenges. As you all know, the school roof is in need of replacing. It will be 30 years old next year. We have received a very generous donation to help with an estimated $90,000 to $100,000 replacement cost.
During the summer, the school fire alarm malfunctioned. The alarm company that originally installed the alarm said that the school’s system and parts are no longer available. In addition, the existing alarm wiring no longer meets code. The company has made a bid of over $31,000 for a new system. The Mariposa Fire Marshall is aware of this and is allowing the school to open on time, but with some safety mitigations.
At the YWECS Board Meeting on August 10, the Board felt that the absence of a working fire alarm system is an immediate safety concern for our children. The Board has voted to switch the money donated for the roof replacement to the fire alarm system. The person who made the donation, addressed the Board by phone, and asked the Board to make this decision. The roof is still in need of replacement, but will need to wait until funds are available.
Board Members, along with other members of the community, are working hard to find grants for construction/repair and trying to convince the NPS that helping the community to maintain the school is in everyone’s best interest. The school has received grants to fund student based activities, but they are restricted for other uses than maintenance costs. The YWECS board is asking for your support in helping us find funding sources for the roof replacement. Please contact the school at 209-375-6383 or www.yosemitewawonacharter.org for your tax exempt donations or volunteer time.
Thank you for investing in our kids and community.
Ed Mee
Board Chair
The Board of Directors for YWECS is excited to start another school year and we are so fortunate to have Stacy and Sylvia back again after such a trying year. However, the road to a new and successful school year is not without its challenges. As you all know, the school roof is in need of replacing. It will be 30 years old next year. We have received a very generous donation to help with an estimated $90,000 to $100,000 replacement cost.
During the summer, the school fire alarm malfunctioned. The alarm company that originally installed the alarm said that the school’s system and parts are no longer available. In addition, the existing alarm wiring no longer meets code. The company has made a bid of over $31,000 for a new system. The Mariposa Fire Marshall is aware of this and is allowing the school to open on time, but with some safety mitigations.
At the YWECS Board Meeting on August 10, the Board felt that the absence of a working fire alarm system is an immediate safety concern for our children. The Board has voted to switch the money donated for the roof replacement to the fire alarm system. The person who made the donation, addressed the Board by phone, and asked the Board to make this decision. The roof is still in need of replacement, but will need to wait until funds are available.
Board Members, along with other members of the community, are working hard to find grants for construction/repair and trying to convince the NPS that helping the community to maintain the school is in everyone’s best interest. The school has received grants to fund student based activities, but they are restricted for other uses than maintenance costs. The YWECS board is asking for your support in helping us find funding sources for the roof replacement. Please contact the school at 209-375-6383 or www.yosemitewawonacharter.org for your tax exempt donations or volunteer time.
Thank you for investing in our kids and community.
Ed Mee
Board Chair
Yes, Yosemite National Park is OPEN!!!
Also open: Bureau of Land Management areas, all highways (unless closed for other reasons), state parks, and county/city parks.
Last night's posting about the National Forest closures created some confusion. To be clear, the only federal land currently being closed is the National FORESTS in California (shown below in light green in a graphic from the Sacramento Bee). National PARKS are still open.
Also open: Bureau of Land Management areas, all highways (unless closed for other reasons), state parks, and county/city parks.
Last night's posting about the National Forest closures created some confusion. To be clear, the only federal land currently being closed is the National FORESTS in California (shown below in light green in a graphic from the Sacramento Bee). National PARKS are still open.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions August, 31th, 2021
Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions
Effective immediately, due to high fire danger and enhanced risk to the public, employees, and first responders, Yosemite National Park is enacting park-wide fire restrictions below 8,000 feet of elevation to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires.
By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c):
No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including campfire, cooking fire, and charcoal fires) within Yosemite National Park below 8,000 feet in elevation except as noted below. Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane are permitted, as are alcohol stoves, including tablet/cube stoves. Twig stoves are not permitted.
No smoking below 8,000 feet except within an enclosed vehicle, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed, or in a designated smoking area. All public buildings, public areas of Concession buildings (including restrooms), other areas as posted, and within 25 feet of any non-single-family residential building remain closed to smoking at all times.
Campfires and cooking fires may be used in designated open campgrounds and open picnic areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
Campfires and cooking fires may be used above 8,000 feet but not above 9,600 feet in accordance with park regulations.
Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded or superseded. Administrative exemptions require the written approval of the Superintendent; all conditions listed on the administrative exemption must be followed for the exemption to be valid.
Signed order link below.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions 8.31.2021
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Poster PDF Printable
-NPS-
Yosemite National Park Fire Restrictions
Effective immediately, due to high fire danger and enhanced risk to the public, employees, and first responders, Yosemite National Park is enacting park-wide fire restrictions below 8,000 feet of elevation to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires.
By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c):
No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including campfire, cooking fire, and charcoal fires) within Yosemite National Park below 8,000 feet in elevation except as noted below. Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane are permitted, as are alcohol stoves, including tablet/cube stoves. Twig stoves are not permitted.
No smoking below 8,000 feet except within an enclosed vehicle, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed, or in a designated smoking area. All public buildings, public areas of Concession buildings (including restrooms), other areas as posted, and within 25 feet of any non-single-family residential building remain closed to smoking at all times.
Campfires and cooking fires may be used in designated open campgrounds and open picnic areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
Campfires and cooking fires may be used above 8,000 feet but not above 9,600 feet in accordance with park regulations.
Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded or superseded. Administrative exemptions require the written approval of the Superintendent; all conditions listed on the administrative exemption must be followed for the exemption to be valid.
Signed order link below.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions 8.31.2021
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Poster PDF Printable
-NPS-
- Air Quality: Yosemite Air Quality Page or airnow.gov or airnow.gov/fires
- Trail Closures: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
- Fire Restrictions: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/firerestrictions.htm
- National Weather Service Yosemite area forecast: www.weather.gov/hanford
- Sign-up for Alerts: go.nps.gov/alert
- Yosemite National Park Fire Information webpage: go.nps.gov/yosefire
- Facebook: @YosemiteFire
- Twitter: @YosemiteFire
USDA Forest Service Temporarily Closing All California National Forests for Public Safety
The following press release was received this evening. This is an unprecedented closure of ALL California National Forest lands starting at midnight Tuesday, August 31 to midnight Friday, September 17. While this does not impact Yosemite National Park, it is important to be aware of this unusual situation.
VALLEJO, Calif., — August 30, 2021 . To better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfire crisis, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. This closure will be in effect from Aug. 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. through September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This order does not affect the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which is not in the Pacific Southwest Region.
“We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.”
Factors that led to this decision include:
The following persons are exempt from this Order:
More than 6,800 wildfires have burned 1.7 million acres across all jurisdictions in California, and the National Wildfire Preparedness Level (PL) has been at PL5 since July 14, 2021, only the third time in the past 20 years that the nation has reached PL 5 by mid-July – indicating the highest level of wildland fire activity.
The Forest Service thanks our partners and the public for their cooperation and understanding of this extreme public safety and fire threat. Citizens with specific questions within their area should consult their local forest website or social media pages for more information.
The following press release was received this evening. This is an unprecedented closure of ALL California National Forest lands starting at midnight Tuesday, August 31 to midnight Friday, September 17. While this does not impact Yosemite National Park, it is important to be aware of this unusual situation.
VALLEJO, Calif., — August 30, 2021 . To better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfire crisis, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. This closure will be in effect from Aug. 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. through September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This order does not affect the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which is not in the Pacific Southwest Region.
“We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.”
Factors that led to this decision include:
- By temporarily reducing the numbers of people on national forests, we hope to minimize the likelihood that visitors could become entrapped on National Forest System lands during emergency circumstances.
- The closure order will also decrease the potential for new fire starts at a time of extremely limited firefighting resources, and enhance firefighter and community safety by limiting exposure that occurs in public evacuation situations, especially as COVID-19 continues to impact human health and strain hospital resources.
- Due to state-wide conditions, any new fire starts have the potential for large and rapid fire growth with a high risk to life and property. The Forest Service and our partners are absolutely doing all we can to fight these fires and will continue to do so, but the conditions dictate the need for this region-wide closure order.
- Forecasts show that conditions this season are trending the same or worse as we move into late summer and fall.
- Although the potential for large fires and risk to life and property is not new, what is different is that we are facing: (a) record level fuel and fire conditions; (b) fire behavior that is beyond the norm of our experience and models such as large, quick runs in the night; (c) significantly limited initial attack resources, suppression resources, and Incident Command Teams to combat new fire starts and new large fires; and (d) no predicted weather relief for an extended period of time into the late fall.
The following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization for an electric transmission line, an oil or gas pipeline, communications site, or any other non-recreation special use.
- Commercial recreational special-use permit holders and their customers are not exempt from this Order. However, commercial recreational special-use permit holders, under the terms and conditions of their permit, may access their permit areas to conduct administrative functions and to protect property and related assets. Recreation residence permit holders are not exempt from this Order.
- Persons with a Forest Service non-special-use written authorization to conduct non-recreational activities, such as harvesting timber or forest products, or grazing livestock.
- Owners or lessees of land, and residents of such private landholdings, to the extent necessary to access their land.
- Persons engaged in a business, trade, or occupation are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above, but may use National Forest System roads to the extent necessary to carry out their business, trade, or occupation.
More than 6,800 wildfires have burned 1.7 million acres across all jurisdictions in California, and the National Wildfire Preparedness Level (PL) has been at PL5 since July 14, 2021, only the third time in the past 20 years that the nation has reached PL 5 by mid-July – indicating the highest level of wildland fire activity.
The Forest Service thanks our partners and the public for their cooperation and understanding of this extreme public safety and fire threat. Citizens with specific questions within their area should consult their local forest website or social media pages for more information.
Farewell Luncheon for Kathy Scott at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp
The board of the Wawona FoL presented Kathy Scott a framed Larry Duke painting “Wawona” at the luncheon and a group of community members presented a Nancy Robbins metal photo of Tenaya Lake to Eric and Kathy.
Larry Duke presented a panel of “Wawona Sketches” to Eric and Kathy.
The board of the Wawona FoL presented Kathy Scott a framed Larry Duke painting “Wawona” at the luncheon and a group of community members presented a Nancy Robbins metal photo of Tenaya Lake to Eric and Kathy.
Larry Duke presented a panel of “Wawona Sketches” to Eric and Kathy.
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