WawonaNews.com - May 2012
Important Message for Upcoming Fire Season
Although this message is specifically directed toward Yosemite National Park employees, residents, homeowners, etc., it may be useful to the many at receive this.
Many of the ideas for the information have come from Morgan Warthin, my counterpart in the Alaska Area National Parks, ED and Information Specialist.
Please take this message seriously, as it may be a difficult fire season throughout CA.
Gary Wuchner
Fire Education and Information Manager
Yosemite National Park
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
(209) 372-0480
(209) 742-8990 (cell)
[email protected]
Many of the ideas for the information have come from Morgan Warthin, my counterpart in the Alaska Area National Parks, ED and Information Specialist.
Please take this message seriously, as it may be a difficult fire season throughout CA.
Gary Wuchner
Fire Education and Information Manager
Yosemite National Park
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
(209) 372-0480
(209) 742-8990 (cell)
[email protected]
Community Defensible Space Awareness – Spring 2012
People can live compatibly with wildland fire if they are aware of and prepared for local fire conditions. The more populated and closer a community is to fire prone areas, the greater the need for a proactive approach and a community’s involvement in the fire risk reduction activities.” ~ Firewise Brochure
This is the time of the year when fire defense should be on everyone’s mind that lives in Wildland Urban Interface communities. In the fire prone ecosystems of Yosemite National Park, it is not always “if” wildfires will occur, but a matter of “where” and “when”. Individual and collective prevention and preparedness efforts create a safer park for the public, residents, employees, and firefighters. Fire-safe clearance is 100 feet!
While lightning-caused fires are a part of a complex, natural process across the landscape, it is the unwanted human-caused fires that pose the most direct, but preventable risk. Fires caused by various human activities are likely to occur in close proximity to communities, roads and visitor sites, including campgrounds, near undeveloped lands. Yosemite fire management and firefighting personnel encourage you to prevent, prepare and be aware!
Prevent! Remember, it only takes a spark to start a fire! Be cautious with anything that could start a wildfire – even the unexpected. Recreational activities, based on the time of the year and weather conditions, may lead to unintentional fires. The park is doing as much as possible by mechanically thinning and removing as much debris, ground fuels and hazard trees within communities. Help firefighters in doing your part in protecting your property by providing 100 feet space (or to property lines) of defensible space.
Prepare! How fast can your house Burn?! Homeowners can take effective measures to protect their homes and property. Adopting Firewise principles can reduce the risk of damage or loss due to wildfire. Several resources are available including the Firewise brochures or by contacting Yosemite Fire Management. Please contact Don Coffman (209) 379-1444 or Jack Alviso (209) 375-9541 for specific Yosemite community property inspection questions.
Be Aware! Fire Information Sources: Yosemite National Park and its partners, Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests, Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties, and CAL Fire provide statewide current fire information, maps, statistics and more. Additional NPS information sources include: National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov; Southern California Geographic Area Coordination: http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc; CAL Fire: www.fire.ca.gov Fire Safe Council: www.firesafecouncil.org or www.firewise.org
Thanks for your interest in Yosemite National Park Fire and Aviation Management. You will periodically receive information an all aspects of fire. If you would like to be removed from this interest list or know of someone who would like to be added, please let me know.
For additional Information:
· Yosemite Fire Marschall: [email protected]; (209) 379-1444.
· Yosemite Fire Information and Education Office: [email protected] (209) 375-9574 or 372-0480
Wawona Pine Needle Pile Pick Up: June 4 – 8
It's good to see folks already beginning to make their needle piles for the County to pick up. A few things to remember when making your pile: Wawona Pine Needle Pile Pick Up: June 4 – 8, 2012
Thanks to our District 5 Supervisor Jim Allen and Mariposa County Public Works, Mariposa County will again pick up our piles of pine needles. Your pile must be ready by Monday, June 4. If it is not ready by the time the equipment are in your area, they will not go back and pick up late piles. Remember, one pile per property along the road in front of your property, in an unobstructed area where the equipment can easily access your needle pile. Tree limbs and branches must be cut to a maximum of 3 feet in length to be picked up.
Only vegetation material will be picked up.
No construction materials or large branches, please.
Yosemite National Park, DNC & UC Merced properties are not included in pick-up.
If your address is on an out-of-the-way street, you can call or e-mail Greg Ollivier , Solid Waste Manager 209-966-5165; [email protected] That way your pile won’t be missed.
Tioga Road Opens To Public May 7
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
We are excited to announce that Tioga Road has opened this morning at 7:00 a.m. for all administrative traffic and is scheduled to open to our visiting public at 12:00 noon on May 7th. This has been one of our earliest road openings for the Tioga Road and probably the shortest winter road closure in the history of the park. Please drive safely as there are numerous vehicles performing critical road repairs throughout the corridor. The opening of the road is wonderful news. Unfortunately, the park staff will only be able to provide limited services along Tioga Road because of the loss of commercial power. Southern California Edison is in the process of locating and repairing two transmission line sites in Lee Vining Canyon. Once they provide reliable power, the park will be able to support our staff and visitors with traditional services. (E. Walls) Yosemite News Release
May 2, 2012
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Tioga Road to Open in Yosemite National Park
Visitors urged to take safety precautions while traveling on road
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced today that the Tioga Road will open for the season on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. for all vehicle traffic. The Tioga Road, bounded on both sides by State Highway 120, is the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada. Vault toilets are available in several locations along the road. However, due to damage sustained to two transmission lines, the Tuolumne Meadows area will be without electrical power and visitor services until repairs can be made.
Due to a light snowpack this past winter (approximately 50% of normal), the Tioga Road was able to be cleared of snow early into the summer season. Snow and icy conditions may still exist on hiking trails at the higher elevations. Visitors are urged to be prepared for snowy conditions and possible treacherous stream crossings while hiking the backcountry.
All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed. All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, are also closed. There are no anticipated opening dates for any of these facilities at this time.
Merced River Plan Workshop
The flyer below provides the schedule and details for the workshop on the Merced River Plan to be held in Wawona on Friday May 4th. The day will include a morning tour of the sites in Wawona where the NPS is contemplating various actions and an indoors workshop in the Wawona School in the afternoon. The afternoon session will include NPS plans park-wide. We would like to encourage all those interested in participating as the Park Service plans the use of its property in Wawona to attend this important event.
Thanks, Gene Spindler 
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Park proposals affecting Wawona:
See article further below on this page. Express your opinion about this important topic in our WawonaNews Blog (click here)
Suggested reading: Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Merced River Plan Preliminary Workbook Our Congressional representatives contact info: Shelly Abajian is the district director for Senator Feinstein: [email protected] Bob Rucker is the district director for Congressman Denham: [email protected] |
Possible important changes proposed by park would affect Wawona (you) and rest of Yosemite
Express your opinion about this important topic in our WawonaNews Blog (click here)
The five alternatives to the Merced River Plan offer various plans that may greatly effect visitors’ ability to access, stay overnight, and recreate in Yosemite Valley.
Some of the alternative items that may be of concern are:
Under Alternative Number One:
1. “Significant” restoration of Upper and Lower Campgrounds, Wawona golf course, Curry Village Stables, Merced Lake High Sierra Camp. In the context of the description of “restoration” earlier in the discussion this would mean restore to a natural state.
2. Reduction of lodging by 620 units (50%), including converting Yosemite Lodge to a day use and parking area, removal of 270 house keeping units, 100 tent cabins, and 50 camp sites.
3. Removal of Stoneman, Ahwahnee, and Sugar Pine bridges.
4. Day use reservations required to access Yosemite Valley during peak periods with permits checked at entrance stations.
5. Day use reduced from current levels to 4,400 fewer (31% reduction).
6. Removal of Wawona Stables (this is over all 5 alternatives)
7. Wawona campground reduced under all alternatives
Under Alternative Number Two:
1. 27% decrease in peak visitor use compared to present peak.
2. Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee bridges removed
3. Lodging reduced by 33% (400 units)
4. Wawona campground reduced
5. Removal of Wawona stables
6. “Restoration” of Wawona golf course
7. Elimination of commercial day rides from the valley stables
8. Removes 60 lodging units from Merced Lake High Sierra Camp and all associated infrastructure
9. Day use reservation system for access to the Valley during peak periods
Under Alternative Number Three:
1. Removal of Sugar Pine and Ahwahnee bridges
2. Convert Curry Village Stables to campgrounds
3. Lodging reduced by 210 units
4. 17% reduction in peak visitation level
5. Pay to park in East Valley locations during high demand
6. Differential fee for parking
7. New campground with 110 drive in sites at the former Upper Lower Rivers outside the 10 year flood plain
8. Wawona campgrounds reduced
9. Camping increased overall by 230 sites (post 1997 flood number).
10. Remove Wawona stables
Under Alternative Number Four:
1. Reduce lodging by 70 units, increase camping by 100 sites
2. Reduce camp sites in Wawona campground
3. Remove Wawona stables
4. Remove Yosemite Lodge pool
5. Maximum peak visitor use to current use
6. “Transportation fee” charged at entrance stations
Under Alternative Number Five:
1. Remove Wawona stables
2. Phased in day use capacity management actions similar to the other alternatives leading to day-use reservations when demand exceeds supply in the future. (?) Parking and transportation fees.
3. Valley day use parking to provide 500 overflow parking spaces, with expanded shuttle stops to West Valley.
4. Addition of 200 units to Yosemite Lodge (almost to level prior to 97 flood when 250 were lost).
5. Reduction of sites at Wawona campground
This is a summary only. The very best attempts have been made to be accurate in the presentation. The above are but a few of the major impact items in the various alternatives. Read the NPS Merced River Plan workbook and pay particular attention to pages 26 and 27 that do comparisons over all alternatives. Also on page 10 which lists items to be removed over all alternatives. Over all alternatives there are differing impacts to campgrounds, lodging and parking. It is easy to ascertain which alternative is generally more restrictive and “restorative” than the others. Nevertheless, there are items in all that may effect access and certain recreational, lodging and camping opportunities.
Suggested reading: Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
Merced River Plan Preliminary Workbook
Our Congressional representatives contact info:
Shelly Abajian is the district director for Senator Feinstein: [email protected]
Bob Rucker is the district director for Congressman Denham: [email protected]
Express your opinion about this important topic in our WawonaNews Blog (click here)
Tioga Road Status
Due to a low snowpack this winter, spring plowing operations have progressed at an accelerated rate. On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, crews were able to plow through to the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. While this is good news, several days are still needed to complete snow removal operations, conduct road repairs, clear ditches, and complete hazard tree abatement prior to the road being opened to the public. National Park Service (NPS) crews will continue to work in the road corridor for the next several days. Beginning Saturday, April 28, Tioga Road will open to the public for bicycle traffic from Crane Flat through Tioga Pass. Weather and road conditions may require unscheduled closures of the Tioga Road. The road will tentatively open to administrative traffic on Wednesday, May 2 at 7AM. An official opening date of the Tioga Road for the public has not been announced.
Beginning April 28 through May 1 the following restrictions apply:
Employee access to Tioga Road is RESTRICTED to NPS Maintenance and NPS Law Enforcement personnel to perform their official duties.
Tioga Road will be open to bicycling on Saturday, April 28 through Tioga Pass until the road is open to all vehicles.
Drivers on the Tioga Road are urged to drive slowly and use caution. Additionally, drivers should be aware of ice and snow removal equipment along the roadway.
The road is wet with patchy ice and snow-berms, which may affect driver line of sight.
The Tioga Road will open to administrative traffic, including NPS and DNC on May 2, to allow for spring opening of facilities.
The park will provide updates as to what services are available at the time of the road opening to the public. (M. Gauthier)
DNC Openings This Week
- The new Meadow Grill (previously the Curry Village Taqueria) has opened for the season at Curry Village! Hours of operation are 11 AM - 8 PM Daily, shuttle stop #13B.
- The Glacier Point Gift Shop has opened for the season! Hours of operation are 9 AM - 5 PM daily. The Snack Stand will not be open until conditions permit.
- Rafting has opened for the season! Weather and river conditions permitting, hours of operation are daily 10 AM - 4 PM, shuttle stop # 13a. (W. Kearns)
Beginning April 28 through May 1 the following restrictions apply:
Employee access to Tioga Road is RESTRICTED to NPS Maintenance and NPS Law Enforcement personnel to perform their official duties.
Tioga Road will be open to bicycling on Saturday, April 28 through Tioga Pass until the road is open to all vehicles.
Drivers on the Tioga Road are urged to drive slowly and use caution. Additionally, drivers should be aware of ice and snow removal equipment along the roadway.
The road is wet with patchy ice and snow-berms, which may affect driver line of sight.
The Tioga Road will open to administrative traffic, including NPS and DNC on May 2, to allow for spring opening of facilities.
The park will provide updates as to what services are available at the time of the road opening to the public. (M. Gauthier)
DNC Openings This Week
- The new Meadow Grill (previously the Curry Village Taqueria) has opened for the season at Curry Village! Hours of operation are 11 AM - 8 PM Daily, shuttle stop #13B.
- The Glacier Point Gift Shop has opened for the season! Hours of operation are 9 AM - 5 PM daily. The Snack Stand will not be open until conditions permit.
- Rafting has opened for the season! Weather and river conditions permitting, hours of operation are daily 10 AM - 4 PM, shuttle stop # 13a. (W. Kearns)
Afternoon Reception with Silk Artist: Judith Ann Durr
The Wawona Friends of the Bassett Memorial Library are hosting an Afternoon with Silk Artist Judith Ann Durr Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. in the library. Judith’s deep love of our beautiful Yosemite region has grown over 40 years of living, working, and raising her family in Yosemite and the surrounding mountain area. She began working with fiber art (spinning, weaving and sewing) in 1970.
She is now working with dying silk fabrics and then steam setting the dye to the fiber to create vibrant color. Photographs of the silk designs and the beautiful features of our mountain area have brought an added line of greeting cards (which are available in the library) to her creative expression. Since 2004, Judith has been creating original silk art designs making scarves, flags, banners, framed silk, and silk embellished pillows featuring hand drawn designs. Her designs are hand drawn on raw silk, then outlined in a golden metallic material, dyed, treated with salt and finally steamed to bring out and set the brilliant colors. The result gives the design a stained glass look on flowing silk. She enjoys taking photographs of the silks and the spectacular Sierra landscapes then making prints and greeting cards. Photographs of the Yosemite area and nature are displayed in the library as well as her work in silk. Silk Art Designs and Photography by Judith Ann Durr are displayed in the library through June, 2012. As an artist and Christian, Judith loves expressing her faith through her art.
Check out her website: www.thepraiseworks.com
The date for The Afternoon Reception with the Artist and Photographer Judith Ann Durr is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 6 at 2 p.m. There is no charge and refreshments will be served.
Traffic Delays--Wawona Road--South Entrance Station Area (April 29th thru May 24th--15 Minute Delays)
April 29th thru May 24th crews will begin working days and nights to continue making repairs around the South Entrance Station.
**Night time operations will be Sunday thru Thursday 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with up to 15 minute delays.
**Day time crews will be working Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM with intermittent 5-minute delays.
**No delays between Friday night at 6:00 PM and Sunday night at 8:00 PM.
Michael Pieper
Yosemite National Park
5083 Foresta Road
El Portal, CA 95318
Office: (209) 379-1263
Fax (209) 379-1066
**Night time operations will be Sunday thru Thursday 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with up to 15 minute delays.
**Day time crews will be working Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM with intermittent 5-minute delays.
**No delays between Friday night at 6:00 PM and Sunday night at 8:00 PM.
Michael Pieper
Yosemite National Park
5083 Foresta Road
El Portal, CA 95318
Office: (209) 379-1263
Fax (209) 379-1066
Stretch of Highway closed by sulphur spill reopened
The Fresno Bee
Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012 | 05:47 AM
Authorities have reopened a stretch of Highway 41 near Fish Camp that was closed Sunday night because of a chemical spill.
The driver of a big rig that dropped hundreds of bags of sulfur on the popular route to Yosemite National Park was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the California Highway Patrol said.
The spill occurred just before 5 p.m. Sunday when the tractor trailer started spilling 25-pound bags of the chemical. A CHP spokesman said about 250 bags were strewn along a one-mile stretch of the highway.
Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012 | 05:47 AM
Authorities have reopened a stretch of Highway 41 near Fish Camp that was closed Sunday night because of a chemical spill.
The driver of a big rig that dropped hundreds of bags of sulfur on the popular route to Yosemite National Park was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the California Highway Patrol said.
The spill occurred just before 5 p.m. Sunday when the tractor trailer started spilling 25-pound bags of the chemical. A CHP spokesman said about 250 bags were strewn along a one-mile stretch of the highway.
Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire
May, 2012
Fire Managers are preparing the Wawona Northwest fire unit as the first prescribed fire for the 2012 season for mid-May. This project has been planned since the 2007, Jack fire, a lightning caused fire. Although precipitation is predicted this week, fuel moisture samples indicate the 846 acre fire unit will be in prescription within the next two to three weeks. Firefighters have begun clearing the existing fire lines from winter debris, and they will continue to take fuel moisture samples in preparation of the fire project. Surface fuels, pine needles, are drying-out, but remain damp under the top layer. An exact date will be provided as preparations are completed and fuels are receptive to ignition.
The primary objective for prescribed fire is for the direct fire protection to the community of Wawona. This project will take advantage of the Jack Fire perimeter and reduce hazardous fuel loading in the Wawona Wildland Urban Interface area. Burning this segment will form a barrier to the community of Wawona from the spread of unwanted wildfire approaching from Turner Ridge to the north and partially from the South Fork Merced River drainage to the northwest. This project ties together multiple and previous historical research natural and prescribed fires, and mechanical thinning around the community.
Another objective for this project is to conduct ecosystem restoration by applying fire to this fire adapted landscape. Prior to the exclusion of fire over 100 years ago, fire was a natural process that played an integral role in shaping the landscape of Yosemite. Densities of shade tolerant tree species, such as white fir and incense cedar, and forest litter and duff have accumulated to unnatural and unaccepted levels in the absence of fire. Through the application of fire, a more natural and resilient vegetation composition can be achieved that would likely support a surface fire, but less likely to support crown fire.
Community members and visitors will see equipment and crews moving into the area as they prepare the fire perimeter for fire ignition and operations. Adequate fire resources are available from the US Forest Service and other agencies. Other pre-fire planning efforts include taking fuel moistures and moving remote automated weather equipment into the fire area.
Smoke will be present during the prescribed fire, particularly during the early morning hours. Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to time the project for a favorable weather pattern that will facilitate good air quality, and disperse smoke into the atmosphere away from smoke sensitive areas. A burn permit will be issued to the park by the County APCD. Air quality measuring devices are being moved into adjacent nearby smoke sensitive areas. It is suggested that community members who are sensitive to smoke, plan to leave the area during active ignition. It is projected to take three to five days to complete the project.
This fire segment is identified in the 2004 Yosemite Fire Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and in the Multi-year Strategic Fuels Management Plan. The goals and objectives for this project conform to the park’s General Management Plan and Vegetation Management Plan.
More information will be provided as the project is finalized.
For additional Information:
· Yosemite Fire Information and Education Office: [email protected] - (209) 375-9574 or 372-0480
· Yosemite Fire Management Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/rx-fire-projects.htm
· Twitter: http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFire
· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395
Fire Managers are preparing the Wawona Northwest fire unit as the first prescribed fire for the 2012 season for mid-May. This project has been planned since the 2007, Jack fire, a lightning caused fire. Although precipitation is predicted this week, fuel moisture samples indicate the 846 acre fire unit will be in prescription within the next two to three weeks. Firefighters have begun clearing the existing fire lines from winter debris, and they will continue to take fuel moisture samples in preparation of the fire project. Surface fuels, pine needles, are drying-out, but remain damp under the top layer. An exact date will be provided as preparations are completed and fuels are receptive to ignition.
The primary objective for prescribed fire is for the direct fire protection to the community of Wawona. This project will take advantage of the Jack Fire perimeter and reduce hazardous fuel loading in the Wawona Wildland Urban Interface area. Burning this segment will form a barrier to the community of Wawona from the spread of unwanted wildfire approaching from Turner Ridge to the north and partially from the South Fork Merced River drainage to the northwest. This project ties together multiple and previous historical research natural and prescribed fires, and mechanical thinning around the community.
Another objective for this project is to conduct ecosystem restoration by applying fire to this fire adapted landscape. Prior to the exclusion of fire over 100 years ago, fire was a natural process that played an integral role in shaping the landscape of Yosemite. Densities of shade tolerant tree species, such as white fir and incense cedar, and forest litter and duff have accumulated to unnatural and unaccepted levels in the absence of fire. Through the application of fire, a more natural and resilient vegetation composition can be achieved that would likely support a surface fire, but less likely to support crown fire.
Community members and visitors will see equipment and crews moving into the area as they prepare the fire perimeter for fire ignition and operations. Adequate fire resources are available from the US Forest Service and other agencies. Other pre-fire planning efforts include taking fuel moistures and moving remote automated weather equipment into the fire area.
Smoke will be present during the prescribed fire, particularly during the early morning hours. Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to time the project for a favorable weather pattern that will facilitate good air quality, and disperse smoke into the atmosphere away from smoke sensitive areas. A burn permit will be issued to the park by the County APCD. Air quality measuring devices are being moved into adjacent nearby smoke sensitive areas. It is suggested that community members who are sensitive to smoke, plan to leave the area during active ignition. It is projected to take three to five days to complete the project.
This fire segment is identified in the 2004 Yosemite Fire Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and in the Multi-year Strategic Fuels Management Plan. The goals and objectives for this project conform to the park’s General Management Plan and Vegetation Management Plan.
More information will be provided as the project is finalized.
For additional Information:
· Yosemite Fire Information and Education Office: [email protected] - (209) 375-9574 or 372-0480
· Yosemite Fire Management Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/rx-fire-projects.htm
· Twitter: http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFire
· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395
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Big Rig Accident shuts down Route 41 through Fish Camp
FISH CAMP, Calif. (KFSN) -- A chemical spill has shut down the south entrance into Yosemite National Park this morning. Powder sulfur spilled onto Highway 41 leading into the park.
Hazmat crews are using plastic shovels to scoop spilled sulfur at Yosemite. |
The CHP hopes to open the highway by noon Monday. A big rig driver was carrying the sulfur. The highly flammable chemical sparked several small fires. Hazmat crews and investigators with the EPA are on scene this morning. There is a quarantine zone within a half mile radius of the spill.
Many people coming out of the park Sunday night had to be detoured through Mariposa. Highway 41 is being blocked off in Fish Camp -- just north of Tenaya Lodge.
Authorities say the driver of the big rig kept going even after the spill.
Management at Tenaya Lodge says the hotel is near capacity. This is a busy week for Yosemite as entrance is free to the park through the weekend.
The driver of the big rig is in custody on suspicion of D.U.I., however its possible he was overcome with fumes from the spill.
Highway 41 between Fish Camp and the park entrance is closed until further notice. California Highway Patrol, Mariposa County, and Madera County are responding to the incident and implementing clean-up operations. Contact park road conditions at 209/372-0200 (then dial 1 then 1) for updates on the closure..
Many people coming out of the park Sunday night had to be detoured through Mariposa. Highway 41 is being blocked off in Fish Camp -- just north of Tenaya Lodge.
Authorities say the driver of the big rig kept going even after the spill.
Management at Tenaya Lodge says the hotel is near capacity. This is a busy week for Yosemite as entrance is free to the park through the weekend.
The driver of the big rig is in custody on suspicion of D.U.I., however its possible he was overcome with fumes from the spill.
Highway 41 between Fish Camp and the park entrance is closed until further notice. California Highway Patrol, Mariposa County, and Madera County are responding to the incident and implementing clean-up operations. Contact park road conditions at 209/372-0200 (then dial 1 then 1) for updates on the closure..
2012 PINE NEEDLE PICK-UP
The Mariposa County Department of Public Works 2012 PINE NEEDLE PICK-UP will take place
Mon.-Fri., June 4-8
Please have your pine needles raked into piles on the side of the road prior to June 4th. Piles must be accessible by front end loader. (See reverse for examples.) No construction materials or large branches, please. Yosemite National Park, DNC & UC Merced properties not included in pick-up.
Questions?
Call or e-mail Greg Ollivier, Solid Waste Manager 209-966-5165; [email protected]
Mariposa County Department of Public Works
4639 Ben Hur Rd.,Mariposa, CA 95338
209-966-5356
Judith Ann Durr
Fiber Art, Photography
Ahwahnee, California
email Judith here:
Go to Judith's Website
Judith Ann Durr has been working with fiber art — spinning, weaving and sewing — for more than 35 years. "Living and working in Yosemite National Park for many years and now living in the Oakhurst area has given me a love for our beautiful mountain area," said Judith.
Since 2004, she has been creating original silk art designs making scarves, flags, banners, framed silk, and silk embellished pillows featuring hand drawn designs. As an artisan she loves creating original silk banners, scarves and pictures to worship the Lord.
Judith is now working through a multi-step process dying silk fabrics and then steam setting the dye to the fiber to create vibrant colors. Designs are drawn on silk, stretched on frames, given a golden metallic outline, dyed, treated with salt and then processed in the silk steamer. The result is like stained glass on flowing silk.
Photographs of the silk designs and the beautiful features of the Mountain Area have brought an added line of greeting cards to her creative expression.
Silk Art Designs
Judith’s deep love of our beautiful Yosemite region has grown over 40 years of living, working and raising her family in Yosemite and the surrounding mountain area. She began working with fiber art (spinning, weaving and sewing) in 1970. Since 2004 she has been creating original silk art designs making scarves, flags, banners, embellished pillows and framed silks. She enjoys taking photographs of the silks and the spectacular Sierra landscapes then making prints and greeting cards.
Her designs are hand drawn on raw silk, then outlined in a golden metallic material, dyed, treated with salt and finally steamed to bring out and set the brilliant colors. The result gives the design a stained glass look on flowing silk. As an artist and Christian, Judith loves expressing her faith through her art.
Visit The Praise Works website.
For more information or questions, call the Planning Division at 209/379-1110 with questions.
