WawonaNews.com - November 2016
Update from WAPOA on dead tree removal–October 26
The PG&E tree removal contractor is in Wawona. They will be there a few weeks and you will be receiving a notice in the mail telling you when the power will be off on your street while they work there. They are doing all the “crane” work first (taking trees close to buildings down, piece by piece) and then will fell trees that won’t fall on a building. There are hauler trucks behind them, taking the log sections out to an area that Brian Mattos (the Park Service forester) has designated.
We are still working on getting funding to get partial reimbursement for owners whose trees have to come down, but that are not being removed by PG&E. We will let you know when we hear something.
We are still working on getting funding to get partial reimbursement for owners whose trees have to come down, but that are not being removed by PG&E. We will let you know when we hear something.
Tree Removal Subcontractors to Start Work October 25
PG&E tree subcontractors have mobilized in North Wawona and crane operations and limited local outages will begin October 25. Larger outage with generator feed still planned for later next week.
Brian Mattos
Registered Professional Forester No 2476
FM/R&T Box 577-W
Yosemite National Park, California 95389
209.379.1113 (desk)
209.742.3716 (mobile)
Brian Mattos
Registered Professional Forester No 2476
FM/R&T Box 577-W
Yosemite National Park, California 95389
209.379.1113 (desk)
209.742.3716 (mobile)
Final Stage of Tagged Trees in Wawona
Crews have almost completed the tagging of dead trees in Wawona.
All un-tagged dead trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. A message from YNP forester Brian Mattos: PG&E / Utility Tree plans to mobilize multiple crews/cranes in Wawona the end of October/early November for tagged dead tree removal. |
Dbl XC and diameter measurement are PG&E markings
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A Message from WAPOA about the Dead Trees
As you know, ACRT is tagging the trees in Wawona that may fall on a PG&E line and these will be cut down and removed by a contractor from PG&E. They hope to have all the work done before the first big snowfall.
If you have other trees on your property that are dead or dying, The Park Service and CALFIRE strongly recommend that you cut down any that may fall on your house or on a neighbor’s house or on an access road, before a high wind or heavy snowfall. Normally, they would prefer that the tree is also removed but because of the potential immediate danger to property, it will be OK to leave the cut tree on the ground for later removal. The burn pile is full now but after they start burning in the winter there may be more room for more trees.
There was a list of recommended tree removal contractors from Christian Mueller (from the Redwoods) published on this site a few weeks ago, and there are more in the Oakhurst area.
We are also working on trying to get financial aid for all Wawona homeowners, who incur expenses cutting down and removing hazardous trees. We are in constant contact with the NPS and Mariposa County. We have found a possible grant source. Melinda Barrett at the MCRCD (Mariposa County Resource Conservation District) is working with the Mariposa Fire Safety Council and is applying for a CALFIRE grant that will fund a maximum of $200,000 to Wawona and a couple of other areas with the same problem – for hazardous tree removal. She will know around December if she got the grant and funds would be distributed around March. She would then have to decide who is eligible since the funds are limited. Low income homeowners would be first. At that time, she would hire a contractor to start the work around April. One problem with this scenario is that we need to cut down the trees before April. She didn’t know if that would be covered under the grant and is going to try to find out. She suggested that you take before and after photos and keep all receipts if you do the work earlier. She has included a “Letter of Support” from WAPOA in the grant application.
The other potential source of funding may come from FEMA. There was a rumor that Tom Wheeler (Madera County supervisor) told a town hall meeting at Bass Lake that FEMA funds might be available to help. We asked John Carrier (our Mariposa County supervisor) about it, and he shared this with us:
“The last word I have heard is Cal OES (Governor’s Office of Emergency Services) has not yet submitted the application to FEMA. The process is such that we get one shot at the application and if it is not done properly it will be rejected and we do not get a second chance. CSAC (California State Association of Counties) and others are working with the Governor’s office to make sure things are in place to make our chance successful. If FEMA approves the application, Mariposa would be part of the funding package. We are in the process of recruiting a Tree Mortality Manager for the County, which 75% of the funding will come from the Cal OES funding. This person will help coordinate any activity reducing the effects of tree mortality within the County. It is a complex issue that has many rules and regulations that have hindered the process of mitigating the public safety concerns. “
WAPOA will keep you informed when we hear more!
List of Tree Removal Contractors in the Area
Yosemite Fire Update #11 - October 13, 2016
MARIPOSA GROVE – Prescribed Fire
Mariposa County
Ignitions of the Mariposa Grove prescribed fire continued this week with an additional 44 acres completed in the upper grove. Last week, 31 acres were completed in the lower grove. Fire personnel will continue to monitor and patrol the grove area. The Grove is currently closed to the public because of a major restoration project; burning at this time minimizes impacts to public use.
Smoke will be present during this project. Smoke, affecting health, is always a consideration in the decision to schedule prescribed fires. Community members and visitors who are sensitive to smoke may way to close their windows and doors and/or consider leaving the area during ignition of the project in order to reduce exposure.
The objective of this prescribed fire is ecosystem restoration. Historically, natural fire burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite National Park and played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystem. Yosemite’s Fire Management Program works to balance the protection of life, property and natural and cultural resources with the continuation of fire as a natural process. Applying fire under prescribed conditions mimics the frequent, low intensity, lightning caused fires.
Burning in the Mariposa Grove is a continuous process; the targeted areas have had 1-3 prescribed fires in the past 30 years, and continued burning is required to maintain healthy forest conditions. Fire produces the optimum conditions for Giant Sequoia reproduction and propagation. Fire not only removes the accumulated layers of dead woody debris, exposing nutrient rich mineral soil, but dries the cones allowing the seeds to shed. Fire also creates holes in the forest canopy, while eliminating shade tolerate competition.
LAKES – 37 35.6 x 119 33.6 approximate 8000 feet elevation
Mariposa and Madera Counties
The Lakes Fire in the Chilnualna Lakes area, between Turner Meadow and Buena Vista Peak, is a lightning caused fire that is being managed for multiple objectives. A ground reconnaissance was completed by Yosemite Crew-1 members earlier this week and reported the fire to be 1,001 acres. The fire had previously spread to the area of the 1999 Chil Fire area and has been most active on the west, north and northeast edge of the perimeter. Smoke has been visible from various locations within the park and surrounding area.
A trail closure is effective as of August 25, 2016, as the fire crossed the trail along Chilnualna Creek. The trail section between Turner Meadow (beyond the top of Chilnualna Fall) and Buena Vista Lake is included in the closure.
Nancy Phillipe
Yosemite National Park
Emergency Communications Center Manager
Detailed to Yosemite Fire Information
209-620-6431 Work Cell
209-372-0480 Office Fire Info Landline
MARIPOSA GROVE – Prescribed Fire
Mariposa County
Ignitions of the Mariposa Grove prescribed fire continued this week with an additional 44 acres completed in the upper grove. Last week, 31 acres were completed in the lower grove. Fire personnel will continue to monitor and patrol the grove area. The Grove is currently closed to the public because of a major restoration project; burning at this time minimizes impacts to public use.
Smoke will be present during this project. Smoke, affecting health, is always a consideration in the decision to schedule prescribed fires. Community members and visitors who are sensitive to smoke may way to close their windows and doors and/or consider leaving the area during ignition of the project in order to reduce exposure.
The objective of this prescribed fire is ecosystem restoration. Historically, natural fire burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite National Park and played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystem. Yosemite’s Fire Management Program works to balance the protection of life, property and natural and cultural resources with the continuation of fire as a natural process. Applying fire under prescribed conditions mimics the frequent, low intensity, lightning caused fires.
Burning in the Mariposa Grove is a continuous process; the targeted areas have had 1-3 prescribed fires in the past 30 years, and continued burning is required to maintain healthy forest conditions. Fire produces the optimum conditions for Giant Sequoia reproduction and propagation. Fire not only removes the accumulated layers of dead woody debris, exposing nutrient rich mineral soil, but dries the cones allowing the seeds to shed. Fire also creates holes in the forest canopy, while eliminating shade tolerate competition.
LAKES – 37 35.6 x 119 33.6 approximate 8000 feet elevation
Mariposa and Madera Counties
The Lakes Fire in the Chilnualna Lakes area, between Turner Meadow and Buena Vista Peak, is a lightning caused fire that is being managed for multiple objectives. A ground reconnaissance was completed by Yosemite Crew-1 members earlier this week and reported the fire to be 1,001 acres. The fire had previously spread to the area of the 1999 Chil Fire area and has been most active on the west, north and northeast edge of the perimeter. Smoke has been visible from various locations within the park and surrounding area.
A trail closure is effective as of August 25, 2016, as the fire crossed the trail along Chilnualna Creek. The trail section between Turner Meadow (beyond the top of Chilnualna Fall) and Buena Vista Lake is included in the closure.
Nancy Phillipe
Yosemite National Park
Emergency Communications Center Manager
Detailed to Yosemite Fire Information
209-620-6431 Work Cell
209-372-0480 Office Fire Info Landline
Yosemite Fire Update #10 - October 12, 2016
MARIPOSA GROVE – Prescribed Fire
Mariposa County
Ignitions of the Mariposa Grove prescribed fire continued today with an additional 15 acres completed. Last week, 31 acres were completed in the lower grove. Fire personnel will continue working in the grove over the next several days. The Grove is currently closed to the public because of a major restoration project; burning at this time minimizes impacts to public use.
Smoke will be present during this project. Smoke, affecting health, is always a consideration in the decision to schedule prescribed fires. Community members and visitors who are sensitive to smoke may way to close their windows and doors and/or consider leaving the area during ignition of the project in order to reduce exposure.
The objective of this prescribed fire is ecosystem restoration. Historically, natural fire burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite National Park and played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystem. Yosemite’s Fire Management Program works to balance the protection of life, property and natural and cultural resources with the continuation of fire as a natural process. Applying fire under prescribed conditions mimics the frequent, low intensity, lightning caused fires.
Burning in the Mariposa Grove is a continuous process; the targeted areas have had 1-3 prescribed fires in the past 30 years, and continued burning is required to maintain healthy forest conditions. Fire produces the optimum conditions for Giant Sequoia reproduction and propagation. Fire not only removes the accumulated layers of dead woody debris, exposing nutrient rich mineral soil, but dries the cones allowing the seeds to shed. Fire also creates holes in the forest canopy, while eliminating shade tolerate competition.
LAKES – 37 35.6 x 119 33.6 approximate 8000 feet elevation
Mariposa and Madera Counties
The Lakes Fire in the Chilnualna Lakes area, between Turner Meadow and Buena Vista Peak, is a lightning caused fire that is being managed for multiple objectives. A ground reconnaissance was completed by Yosemite Crew-1 members earlier this week and reported the fire to be 1,001 acres. The fire had previously spread to the area of the 1999 Chil Fire area and has been most active on the west, north and northeast edge of the perimeter. Smoke has been visible from various locations within the park and surrounding area.
A trail closure is effective as of August 25, 2016, as the fire crossed the trail along Chilnualna Creek. The trail section between Turner Meadow (beyond the top of Chilnualna Fall) and Buena Vista Lake is included in the closure.
Nancy Phillipe
Yosemite National Park
Emergency Communications Center Manager
Detailed to Yosemite Fire Information
209-620-6431 Work Cell
209-372-0480 Office Fire Info Landline
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