WawonaNews.com - September 2014
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL MEETING
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, September 15, 2014, 6 PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3. CONSENT AGENDA
NOTE: The Board will be asked to approve all of the following items by a single vote, unless any member of the Board or of the public asks that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered and discussed separately.
3.1. Approval of agenda
3.2. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting, 09082014
4. Financial reports
4.1. Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)
4.1.1. Approve $43.77 for parts to repair broken window
4.1.2. Reimburse Michelle $1550.00 for the Renaissance Learning Program
4.2. Financial Report
5. HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
The public may address the Board on any matter pertaining to the school district that is not on the agenda. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, each person is limited to five (5) minutes. There will be no Board discussion and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda.
ACTION ITEMS
6. Board resignations and filling the positions
7. Governance Issues Handbook approval
8. Stove vent installation
9. Approve/sign MOU between NPS & Wawona Charter for DNC Guest Donation Grant Program
10. Approval to purchase desktop computer, needed for Renaissance Learning and other tools, with donated funds.
INFORMATION ITEMS
11. BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS
12. GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE
13. STAFF COMMENTS
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
15. CLOSSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
NOTE: The Board will consider and may act upon any of the following items in closed session. Any action taken will be reported publicly at the end of the closed session as required by law.
15.1.Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)
15.1.1. Teacher employment agreement approval
15.2.Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
16. RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION: ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
17. ADJOURNMENT
Meadow Fire Update (9/9/14)
4400 acres, 5% contained
Fire increase in size is a result of helicopter access to GPS fire
Management of the Meadow Fire was assumed by the South Central Sierra Inter-agency Incident Management Team on Monday, September 8 at 6 PM. Firefighters have achieved 5% containment along the western perimeter, near Little Yosemite Valley. It is approximately 2,585 4400 acres in size, although that may change today. Over 100 firefighters are on scene, including water dropping helicopters. The fire is within designated Wilderness and firefighters are implementing Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST).
There is an area Safety Closure in effect, by order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under the authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section (a)(1): The areas and features include:
• Little Yosemite Valley
• The John Muir Trail between Little Yosemite Valley and Long Meadow
• All routes on Half Dome including the Cables, NW Regular Route and Snake Dike
• Sunrise and Merced Lake High Sierra Camps and backpackers’ camps
• The Sunrise Trail south of the Tenaya Lake Trail junction
• Clouds Rest, Sunrise Lakes, Emeric Lake and Babcock Lake
Trails and areas that remain open:
• The Mist, John Muir and Panorama Trails to the top of Nevada Falls
• Vogelsang Backpackers’ Camp
• The Tenaya Lake Trail
• Fletcher Creek Trail between Vogelsang and Merced Lake Ranger
A copy of the Safety Closure Notice and a detailed map of the trails and features of the closure can be found on the park web page. Air quality may be impaired within Yosemite Valley over the next few days as a high pressure system rebuilds over the area. Yosemite National Park remains open and all facilities within Yosemite Valley. A more complete fire update will be available later in the day.The fire information call center is operational from 8 AM to 8 PM each day. The three phone numbers: (209) 372-0327, (209) 372-032, and (209) 372-0329.
Meadow Fire Update
Photo Credit: Paul DePascale
By Eric Zerkel Published: Sep 9, 2014, 6:46 AM EDT
"We were pleasantly surprised with high humidity and scattered showers throughout the morning," said Kari Cobb, a park ranger. "So anytime you have weather like that it's going to help suppress fire activity."
The fire, which had burned about 4 square miles of timberland, wasn't threatening any buildings. The park remained open, but some campsites were closed.
The so-called Meadow Fire started weeks ago in the Little Yosemite Valley after a lightning strike and had burned through just 19 acres of terrain in 49 days before Sunday. The Los Angeles Times reports that park officials let the small fire burn unabated for weeks in order to "restore the area's natural fire patterns" and that because the fire was burning so slowly at such a high elevation it posed little risk to park goers.
But that changed quickly Sunday, after wind gusts caused the fire to explode in size to more than 2,500 acres as of Monday morning.
"We just got unbelievable crazy winds and unexpected hot conditions," Tim Ludington of the National Park Service told the Fresno Bee. "The fire behavior totally changed. There is a huge plume."
Helicopters were called in to lift 80-85 hikers off of the nearly 5,000-foot-high Half Dome, NPR notes, and others combed the dense forests for hikers that may be stranded or wandering too close to the fast-moving blaze.
"The fire was getting very close to the trail to Half Dome and we didn't want to take the chance on people having to hike through the fire to get back," Ludington told the Los Angeles Times.
Numerous trails remain closed in the park, including trails from Nevada Fall to Merced Lake, according to the National Park Service. Yosemite National Park remains open.
Another fire near Yosemite National Park, called the Bridge Fire, burned through more than 300 acres in Mariposa County, California, and threatened hundreds of homes before firefighters finally gained the upper hand Sunday.
At its peak, the Bridge Fire threatened as many as 700 structures in Mariposa County, according to CalFire. Residents of 300 homes in the community of Oakhurst, California, just miles from Yosemite National Park, were told to evacuate as flames approached their residences Saturday. Previously, 400 more homes in Mariposa County’s Ponderosa Basin were advised to evacuate, according to the Merced Sun-Star.
All evacuation orders have since been lifted. Firefighters upped containment of the blaze to 75 percent as of Monday morning. So far no damage has been reported, but one firefighter was injured Friday fighting the fire. That firefighter has since been treated for minor injuries and is resting at home, the Associated Press reports.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
"We were pleasantly surprised with high humidity and scattered showers throughout the morning," said Kari Cobb, a park ranger. "So anytime you have weather like that it's going to help suppress fire activity."
The fire, which had burned about 4 square miles of timberland, wasn't threatening any buildings. The park remained open, but some campsites were closed.
The so-called Meadow Fire started weeks ago in the Little Yosemite Valley after a lightning strike and had burned through just 19 acres of terrain in 49 days before Sunday. The Los Angeles Times reports that park officials let the small fire burn unabated for weeks in order to "restore the area's natural fire patterns" and that because the fire was burning so slowly at such a high elevation it posed little risk to park goers.
But that changed quickly Sunday, after wind gusts caused the fire to explode in size to more than 2,500 acres as of Monday morning.
"We just got unbelievable crazy winds and unexpected hot conditions," Tim Ludington of the National Park Service told the Fresno Bee. "The fire behavior totally changed. There is a huge plume."
Helicopters were called in to lift 80-85 hikers off of the nearly 5,000-foot-high Half Dome, NPR notes, and others combed the dense forests for hikers that may be stranded or wandering too close to the fast-moving blaze.
"The fire was getting very close to the trail to Half Dome and we didn't want to take the chance on people having to hike through the fire to get back," Ludington told the Los Angeles Times.
Numerous trails remain closed in the park, including trails from Nevada Fall to Merced Lake, according to the National Park Service. Yosemite National Park remains open.
Another fire near Yosemite National Park, called the Bridge Fire, burned through more than 300 acres in Mariposa County, California, and threatened hundreds of homes before firefighters finally gained the upper hand Sunday.
At its peak, the Bridge Fire threatened as many as 700 structures in Mariposa County, according to CalFire. Residents of 300 homes in the community of Oakhurst, California, just miles from Yosemite National Park, were told to evacuate as flames approached their residences Saturday. Previously, 400 more homes in Mariposa County’s Ponderosa Basin were advised to evacuate, according to the Merced Sun-Star.
All evacuation orders have since been lifted. Firefighters upped containment of the blaze to 75 percent as of Monday morning. So far no damage has been reported, but one firefighter was injured Friday fighting the fire. That firefighter has since been treated for minor injuries and is resting at home, the Associated Press reports.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
'Meadow Fire' not contained as first reported
View from area beneath cables
YOSEMITE VILLAGE, CA (RNN) – A wildfire was burning in Yosemite National Park on Sunday, just two days after another fire forced evacuations near the park.
In their latest update at 6:45 p.m. PT, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said the blaze at the country's oldest national park scorched between 300 and 400 acres inside Yosemite, but that all evacuations orders had been lifted.
The fire sparked between noon and 1 p.m. PT and was named the Meadow Fire. The Yosemite Fire Information Service said several helicopters, six hotshot crews and several other resources are fighting the fire.
Yosemite park officials reported fire officials have evacuated the Little Yosemite Valley and areas near the Half Dome behind Mt. Starr-King early Sunday afternoon, according to Yosemite Park's fire updates. Pedestrian trails near the fire had also been blocked off as high winds in the area fuel the blaze.
Cal Fire tweeted that it was also aiding fire officials in battling the fire.
Marjorie Freedman tweeted a photo from her daughter of hikers waiting to be evacuated as the fire burns, saying: "View from area beneath the cables #Yosemite #fire."
Freedman's daughter, Rachel Kirk, was one of 40 hikers who were rescued via helicopter from the Half Dome area. In all, more than 100 other parkgoers were evacuated as the fire spread.
The rest of the Yosemite Valley remained open during the fire.
There were no injuries reports and the cause of the fire was spurned by a July 20 lightning strike in the area. The area had been monitored by park fire officials since then.
The Sunday fire comes two days after fire officials battled another fire 14 miles southwest of Yosemite called the Bridge Fire. The Bridge Fire, which began Sept. 5, threatened nearly 700 structures and took more than 700 fire officials to fight.
The Bridge Fire is currently 65 percent contained and has burned nearly 300 acres as of Sunday, Cal Fire said on itswebsite.
In their latest update at 6:45 p.m. PT, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said the blaze at the country's oldest national park scorched between 300 and 400 acres inside Yosemite, but that all evacuations orders had been lifted.
The fire sparked between noon and 1 p.m. PT and was named the Meadow Fire. The Yosemite Fire Information Service said several helicopters, six hotshot crews and several other resources are fighting the fire.
Yosemite park officials reported fire officials have evacuated the Little Yosemite Valley and areas near the Half Dome behind Mt. Starr-King early Sunday afternoon, according to Yosemite Park's fire updates. Pedestrian trails near the fire had also been blocked off as high winds in the area fuel the blaze.
Cal Fire tweeted that it was also aiding fire officials in battling the fire.
Marjorie Freedman tweeted a photo from her daughter of hikers waiting to be evacuated as the fire burns, saying: "View from area beneath the cables #Yosemite #fire."
Freedman's daughter, Rachel Kirk, was one of 40 hikers who were rescued via helicopter from the Half Dome area. In all, more than 100 other parkgoers were evacuated as the fire spread.
The rest of the Yosemite Valley remained open during the fire.
There were no injuries reports and the cause of the fire was spurned by a July 20 lightning strike in the area. The area had been monitored by park fire officials since then.
The Sunday fire comes two days after fire officials battled another fire 14 miles southwest of Yosemite called the Bridge Fire. The Bridge Fire, which began Sept. 5, threatened nearly 700 structures and took more than 700 fire officials to fight.
The Bridge Fire is currently 65 percent contained and has burned nearly 300 acres as of Sunday, Cal Fire said on itswebsite.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday September 8, 2014, 6PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3. CONSENT AGENDA
NOTE: The Board will be asked to approve all of the following items by a single vote, unless any member of the Board or of the public asks that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered and discussed separately.
3.1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting, August 28, 2014
4. Financial reports
4.1. Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)
4.1.1. P.O. Box annual rent ($48)
4.1.2. Bill from CPA for IRS extension
4.1.3. Renaissance Learning Program-approve use and purchase
4.2. Financial Report
4.2.1. 2014-2015 Budget approval
5. HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
The public may address the Board on any matter pertaining to the school district that is not on the agenda. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, each person is limited to five (5) minutes. There will be no Board discussion and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda.
ACTION ITEMS
6. Teacher job description
7. Employee agreement
8. Stove vent and cabinet work approval
9. Filing for CA DOJ number for employee/volunteer fingerprinting
Library hours
Library Hours
Labor Day 2014 ~ Memorial Day 2015
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
12 Noon—5 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m.—3 p.m.
Closed Tuesday, Thursday,
and Sunday
Internet & Wi-Fi available
Labor Day 2014 ~ Memorial Day 2015
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
12 Noon—5 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m.—3 p.m.
Closed Tuesday, Thursday,
and Sunday
Internet & Wi-Fi available
WAWONA TOWN PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wawona Community Center
Friday, September 5, 2014
1. Call to Order 1 p.m.
2. Introductions
3. Public comments on non-agenda items. Note; The public may speak on any item not on the printed agenda. No action may be taken by the Committee. The public will also be given the opportunity to comment before or during the committee’s consideration of items.
4. Discussion/Action Items
a. Wawona waste water treatment
5. Information and Report Items
a. Supervisor, District V
b. Planning Commissioner, District V
c. Wawona District Ranger
6. Next meeting; date and agenda
7. Adjournment
In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the planning Department at 209-966-5151.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, August 28, 6PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Michelle Stauffer Ed Mee
Max Stauffer Dale Wohlgemuth
Chad Andrews Stella PIzelo
Staff present:
Esme Macarthy
Public present:
3. INTRODUCTIONS
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for August 11, 2014 and August 15, 2014
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. Note: The public may speak on any item not on the printed agenda. No action may be taken by the Board. The public will also be given the opportunity to comment before or during the Board’s consideration of items.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
7.1. Schedule another work day
7.2. Review Criteria for closing the school
8. FINANCIAL REPORT
9. Budget Discussions
10. BOARD REPORTS
11. STAFF REPORTS
12. DISCUSSIONS/ACTION ITEMS
12.1. School policies
13. NEXT MEETING DATE
14. NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
15. ADJOURNMENT
Junction Fire now 75% contained
Update: 8:00 A.M.
The Junction Fire is now 75% contained.
The cause remains under investigation.
Junction Fire
Incident Update: Thursday, August 21, 2014, 8:00 a.m.
www.fire.ca.gov
Media Information Line: (559)706-8815
Public Information Line: (559)658-2560 x115
Incident Name: Junction Fire Location: Highway 49 and Junction Drive in the Community of Oakhurst
Start Date & Report Time: August 18, 2014, 1:50 p.m.
Cause: Under Investigation.
Acres: 612 Containment: 75% Fire Engines: 104
Fire Crews: 38 Bulldozers: 6 Helicopters: 2
Air tankers: 0 Total Personnel: 1207 Injuries: 2
Structures Threatened: 0 Structures Destroyed: 47 Structures Damaged: 6
Current Situation:
Firefighters continued to make good progress, improve containment lines, and aggressively mop-up interior hot spots. The
number of damaged and destroyed structures has been updated and increased due to ground based validation by a damage
inspection team. The majority of yesterday’s increase results from minor structures, such as outbuildings, motorhomes,
and storage containers.
With summer weather and extreme drought conditions, we are asking everyone to continue to use caution, “one less spark
- one less wildfire”. For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.
Evacuations and road closures:
All road and evacuation restrictions are lifted.
Cooperating Agencies: Madera County Sheriff, Madera County Fire Department, CAL OES, Sierra National Forest,
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CHP, Red Cross, CCC, PG&E, Madera County OES, Hillview
Water Company, and Sierra Telephone.
The Junction Fire is now 75% contained.
The cause remains under investigation.
Junction Fire
Incident Update: Thursday, August 21, 2014, 8:00 a.m.
www.fire.ca.gov
Media Information Line: (559)706-8815
Public Information Line: (559)658-2560 x115
Incident Name: Junction Fire Location: Highway 49 and Junction Drive in the Community of Oakhurst
Start Date & Report Time: August 18, 2014, 1:50 p.m.
Cause: Under Investigation.
Acres: 612 Containment: 75% Fire Engines: 104
Fire Crews: 38 Bulldozers: 6 Helicopters: 2
Air tankers: 0 Total Personnel: 1207 Injuries: 2
Structures Threatened: 0 Structures Destroyed: 47 Structures Damaged: 6
Current Situation:
Firefighters continued to make good progress, improve containment lines, and aggressively mop-up interior hot spots. The
number of damaged and destroyed structures has been updated and increased due to ground based validation by a damage
inspection team. The majority of yesterday’s increase results from minor structures, such as outbuildings, motorhomes,
and storage containers.
With summer weather and extreme drought conditions, we are asking everyone to continue to use caution, “one less spark
- one less wildfire”. For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.
Evacuations and road closures:
All road and evacuation restrictions are lifted.
Cooperating Agencies: Madera County Sheriff, Madera County Fire Department, CAL OES, Sierra National Forest,
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CHP, Red Cross, CCC, PG&E, Madera County OES, Hillview
Water Company, and Sierra Telephone.
Oakhurst Residents Hit By Junction Fire Recall Terrifying Afternoon
By Carmen George
The Fresno Bee
August 19, 2014
Oakhurst — The Mierkey and Piccolotti families shared an idyllic plot on the outskirts of Oakhurst. A farmhouse, built in 1905, nestled next to a former apple orchard. Their young children played in a tree house or spent afternoons splashing in the Fresno River below their homes.
But on Monday afternoon, the Junction fire swept across their land and left them homeless.
They received that terrible confirmation from an official on Tuesday morning. Soon after, they watched a video captured by a firefighter of their smoking houses -- just a brick chimney and small statue visible from the rubble.
From a friend's house in Oakhurst on Tuesday afternoon, the families reflected on the terrifying moments when they were told to evacuate "now."
The fire jumped Highway 41 "like a blowtorch" and headed straight for Suburban Propane, about 100 yards from their houses. The farmhouse -- where James Mierkey, 40, lived with his daughter and parents, and an apartment above a detached garage -- where Jennifer Piccolotti, 44, lived with her two children -- were in imminent danger.
Mierkey, a composer and former pastor, was picking Piccolotti up from her job as a hairdresser when he heard about the evacuation order from his brother-in-law, George Rich, a teacher at Yosemite High School. Rich was at Mierkey's home, getting his two children, when a sheriff's official came barreling down the driveway around 4:45 p.m.
"I was on the phone with George telling him, 'Can you grab anything?' " Mierkey said, hoping to at least salvage years of musical compositions stored on a laptop and hard drives. But the fire was moving too fast. There wasn't time to search.
While on the phone with Rich, Mierkey recalled, "I can hear the sheriff in the background screaming at them, 'Get out now, get out now, get out now.' "
Within minutes, they were driving through flames to safety -- four dogs and a cat packed beside them.
Joseph Piccolotti, 12, said of the fire: "It was horrifying."
Grace Mierkey, 10, was "scared and sad."
"Everyone was crying," she said.
Grace grabbed her favorite stuffed animal dog, "Buddy," but forgot her trumpet. Looking at her dad Tuesday afternoon, she asked, "That was the first trumpet I ever played on, wasn't it?"
Many other special items were lost: Grandma's best china, the rough draft of a novel, the children's artwork, and videos of Lyric Piccolotti, 17, acting in plays since she was a girl. Her mother, also an actress, is artistic director of the Golden Chain Theatre in Oakhurst.
On Tuesday, Joseph Piccolotti thought about all the things he wanted to save for his mom. She comforted him: "It's OK, I know."
Head in his hands, elbows on a table, Joseph looked down: "I feel so terrible."
Jennifer Piccolotti remembered the horrified looks on the faces of Oakhurst residents Monday evening. It reminded her of the aftermath of 9/11.
"All over town you could feel it, that crisis mode," she said. "Everybody has this look about them -- it's the effect of trauma ... This was a traumatic event for our town."
The fire didn't just affect those under mandatory evacuations. Robyn Santillanes, 79, who left her Bass Lake home voluntarily, began to cry Tuesday as she remembered a neighbor banging on her front door, warning her of the fire.
Santillanes, who lives alone, waited fearfully for her son to pick her up. At a friend's house Tuesday, she said tearfully, "My little dog, Ramona, is lost. She's a little Boston terrier and I don't know where she is."
But through the terror, Mierkey said, there is something stronger pervading the town of Oakhurst: A sense of community.
Tragedies redefine communities, he said. "Community means experiencing things together and then helping each other through it."
Truckloads of clothes have already been donated to the families through a friend at Firesign, a sign and print shop in Oakhurst, and a donation website has been created.
As the families regroup, Piccolotti takes comfort in her faith.
"It says in the Bible that God makes beauty from ashes, and I just keep thinking about that because we lived in such a beautiful place, and now there's a big scar."
The Fresno Bee
August 19, 2014
Oakhurst — The Mierkey and Piccolotti families shared an idyllic plot on the outskirts of Oakhurst. A farmhouse, built in 1905, nestled next to a former apple orchard. Their young children played in a tree house or spent afternoons splashing in the Fresno River below their homes.
But on Monday afternoon, the Junction fire swept across their land and left them homeless.
They received that terrible confirmation from an official on Tuesday morning. Soon after, they watched a video captured by a firefighter of their smoking houses -- just a brick chimney and small statue visible from the rubble.
From a friend's house in Oakhurst on Tuesday afternoon, the families reflected on the terrifying moments when they were told to evacuate "now."
The fire jumped Highway 41 "like a blowtorch" and headed straight for Suburban Propane, about 100 yards from their houses. The farmhouse -- where James Mierkey, 40, lived with his daughter and parents, and an apartment above a detached garage -- where Jennifer Piccolotti, 44, lived with her two children -- were in imminent danger.
Mierkey, a composer and former pastor, was picking Piccolotti up from her job as a hairdresser when he heard about the evacuation order from his brother-in-law, George Rich, a teacher at Yosemite High School. Rich was at Mierkey's home, getting his two children, when a sheriff's official came barreling down the driveway around 4:45 p.m.
"I was on the phone with George telling him, 'Can you grab anything?' " Mierkey said, hoping to at least salvage years of musical compositions stored on a laptop and hard drives. But the fire was moving too fast. There wasn't time to search.
While on the phone with Rich, Mierkey recalled, "I can hear the sheriff in the background screaming at them, 'Get out now, get out now, get out now.' "
Within minutes, they were driving through flames to safety -- four dogs and a cat packed beside them.
Joseph Piccolotti, 12, said of the fire: "It was horrifying."
Grace Mierkey, 10, was "scared and sad."
"Everyone was crying," she said.
Grace grabbed her favorite stuffed animal dog, "Buddy," but forgot her trumpet. Looking at her dad Tuesday afternoon, she asked, "That was the first trumpet I ever played on, wasn't it?"
Many other special items were lost: Grandma's best china, the rough draft of a novel, the children's artwork, and videos of Lyric Piccolotti, 17, acting in plays since she was a girl. Her mother, also an actress, is artistic director of the Golden Chain Theatre in Oakhurst.
On Tuesday, Joseph Piccolotti thought about all the things he wanted to save for his mom. She comforted him: "It's OK, I know."
Head in his hands, elbows on a table, Joseph looked down: "I feel so terrible."
Jennifer Piccolotti remembered the horrified looks on the faces of Oakhurst residents Monday evening. It reminded her of the aftermath of 9/11.
"All over town you could feel it, that crisis mode," she said. "Everybody has this look about them -- it's the effect of trauma ... This was a traumatic event for our town."
The fire didn't just affect those under mandatory evacuations. Robyn Santillanes, 79, who left her Bass Lake home voluntarily, began to cry Tuesday as she remembered a neighbor banging on her front door, warning her of the fire.
Santillanes, who lives alone, waited fearfully for her son to pick her up. At a friend's house Tuesday, she said tearfully, "My little dog, Ramona, is lost. She's a little Boston terrier and I don't know where she is."
But through the terror, Mierkey said, there is something stronger pervading the town of Oakhurst: A sense of community.
Tragedies redefine communities, he said. "Community means experiencing things together and then helping each other through it."
Truckloads of clothes have already been donated to the families through a friend at Firesign, a sign and print shop in Oakhurst, and a donation website has been created.
As the families regroup, Piccolotti takes comfort in her faith.
"It says in the Bible that God makes beauty from ashes, and I just keep thinking about that because we lived in such a beautiful place, and now there's a big scar."
Junction Fire: Crews Make Progress on Oakhurst Blaze
v
By Jim Guy and Brianna Vaccari
The Fresno BeeAugust 19, 2014
Update: A day after a fast-moving brush fire chased thousands of residents and visitors from Oakhurst, the foothill community got some good news Tuesday afternoon: Fire crews have made significant progress containing the wildfire and Highway 41 -- a key artery carrying Yosemite-bound tourists through town -- has been reopened to traffic.
Eight structures, including homes and the Suburban Propane office, were destroyed as the Junction fire swept across tinder-dry brush and hopped over Highway 41, heading toward Bass Lake.
But cooler overnight temperatures Monday and higher humidity helped firefighters to slow its advance. The fire charred 612 acres -- far fewer than initially thought, thanks to more accurate fire mapping -- and injured two firefighters.
Evacuation orders have now been lifted for areas along Highway 41 and neighborhoods to the west, except for the area around Road 620. East of the highway the roads are still closed and evacuation orders remain in place.
By Tuesday afternoon, fire crews that had rushed in from across the region were scaling back their attack. Some crews were seen heading back down Highway 41 late Tuesday. One crew was even swabbing its truck clean before heading out.
Highway 41 through Oakhurst has been reopened, clearing the southern route to Yosemite National Park, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said.
The sheriff's office announced all roads on the west side of Highway 41 have also been reopened.
Besides Road 620, roads that remain closed are River Falls Road, Road 222 from Highway 41 to Road 274, and John West Road at Jean Road East.
The Fresno BeeAugust 19, 2014
Update: A day after a fast-moving brush fire chased thousands of residents and visitors from Oakhurst, the foothill community got some good news Tuesday afternoon: Fire crews have made significant progress containing the wildfire and Highway 41 -- a key artery carrying Yosemite-bound tourists through town -- has been reopened to traffic.
Eight structures, including homes and the Suburban Propane office, were destroyed as the Junction fire swept across tinder-dry brush and hopped over Highway 41, heading toward Bass Lake.
But cooler overnight temperatures Monday and higher humidity helped firefighters to slow its advance. The fire charred 612 acres -- far fewer than initially thought, thanks to more accurate fire mapping -- and injured two firefighters.
Evacuation orders have now been lifted for areas along Highway 41 and neighborhoods to the west, except for the area around Road 620. East of the highway the roads are still closed and evacuation orders remain in place.
By Tuesday afternoon, fire crews that had rushed in from across the region were scaling back their attack. Some crews were seen heading back down Highway 41 late Tuesday. One crew was even swabbing its truck clean before heading out.
Highway 41 through Oakhurst has been reopened, clearing the southern route to Yosemite National Park, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said.
The sheriff's office announced all roads on the west side of Highway 41 have also been reopened.
Besides Road 620, roads that remain closed are River Falls Road, Road 222 from Highway 41 to Road 274, and John West Road at Jean Road East.
CA- 41 reopens to traffic into and out of Yosemite
Madera County Sheriff's Office
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 4:00 p.m.
Roads Now Open --
CA-41; Road 425A; and all roads on the west side of CA-41 except for 620, are now open to traffic.
Roads That remain closed:
Road 620, River Falls Road, Road 222 from highway 41 to Road 274and John West Road at Jean Road East
www.fire.ca.gov
Fire Information Line: (559)658-2560 ext. 115
Media Information Line: (559)706-8815
Current Fire Situation:
Although the potential still exists for critical fire behavior, firefighters continue to make significant
progress on the Junction Fire in Oakhurst, California. The fire is now 612 acres and 30% contained.
Repopulation of portions of the community affected by the fire is occurring. The change in acreage is due
to more accurate mapping.
Evacuations and Road Closures:
Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for Highway 41 and all areas west of Highway 41, except
Road 620. Roads east of Highway 41 remain closed and evacuations remain in effect.
Additional Information:
For fire information call the Information Center: 559-658-2560 ext. 115. Residents should remain
cautious of fire personnel and equipment working in the area.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 4:00 p.m.
Roads Now Open --
CA-41; Road 425A; and all roads on the west side of CA-41 except for 620, are now open to traffic.
Roads That remain closed:
Road 620, River Falls Road, Road 222 from highway 41 to Road 274and John West Road at Jean Road East
www.fire.ca.gov
Fire Information Line: (559)658-2560 ext. 115
Media Information Line: (559)706-8815
Current Fire Situation:
Although the potential still exists for critical fire behavior, firefighters continue to make significant
progress on the Junction Fire in Oakhurst, California. The fire is now 612 acres and 30% contained.
Repopulation of portions of the community affected by the fire is occurring. The change in acreage is due
to more accurate mapping.
Evacuations and Road Closures:
Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for Highway 41 and all areas west of Highway 41, except
Road 620. Roads east of Highway 41 remain closed and evacuations remain in effect.
Additional Information:
For fire information call the Information Center: 559-658-2560 ext. 115. Residents should remain
cautious of fire personnel and equipment working in the area.
Climber dies from fall in Yosemite after proposing to girlfriend
A climber (top right) traverses Matthes Crest in Yosemite National Park in 2006. Brian Zambrano/Flickr
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. -- A Bay Area man died while rock climbing in Yosemite National Park shortly after his girlfriend accepted his marriage proposal, CBS San Francisco reports.
Brad Parker, a veteran rock climber and Sebastopol resident, was killed after falling from a climb along Matthes Crest, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Parker, 36, had completed a climb to the summit of Cathedral Peak where he proposed to his girlfriend Jainee Dial. She accepted his proposal, but the couple separated as Parker went to climb along Matthes Crest by himself.
Yosemite Park Ranger Kari Cobb told the Press Democrat that Parker was climbing alone and without ropes on the granite crest when other climbers saw him fall around 5:45 p.m.
This was the second climbing death in Yosemite this year.
According to the Associated Press, Parker appeared on the cover of California Climber magazine in 2012. He worked as a yoga instructor.
Brad Parker, a veteran rock climber and Sebastopol resident, was killed after falling from a climb along Matthes Crest, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Parker, 36, had completed a climb to the summit of Cathedral Peak where he proposed to his girlfriend Jainee Dial. She accepted his proposal, but the couple separated as Parker went to climb along Matthes Crest by himself.
Yosemite Park Ranger Kari Cobb told the Press Democrat that Parker was climbing alone and without ropes on the granite crest when other climbers saw him fall around 5:45 p.m.
This was the second climbing death in Yosemite this year.
According to the Associated Press, Parker appeared on the cover of California Climber magazine in 2012. He worked as a yoga instructor.
Junction fire destroys eight Oakhurst structures; new worry is Bass Lake
BY JIM GUY AND MARC BENJAMIN
The Fresno Bee
August 18, 2014
10 AM
OAKHURST — Tuesday morning update:
Fresh fire crews from around the state are rushing to eastern Madera County, south of Yosemite National Park, to battle the Junction fire as authorities brace for high temperatures and renewed winds, which could rekindle embers and again send flames toward homes in Oakhurst and Bass Lake.
Monday night the fire was halted just a mile from downtown Oakhurst with the help of several large air drops of retardant, several of which were carried in by tankers that flew in from out of state.
Cooler overnight temperatures and higher humidity allowed firefighters to gain a respite from the fire, which so far has burned 1,800 acres and injured two firefighters.
Calfire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson said the Bass Lake area is of high concern for firefighters because the densely populated area is filled with narrow, one-way roads, which makes evacuations difficult and limits maneuverability for firefighting vehicles.
Christopherson said record drought conditions have created monumental challenges.
"This is new history," he said. "Stuff (that) guys with 30 years of experience have never seen before."
Christopherson did not have information about the condition of the injured firefighters.
On Monday Gov. Jerry Brown got a federal grant that will reimburse local, state and tribal fire agencies 75 percent of their costs for fighting the fire. Those agencies will pay the remaining 25 percent.
Other pertinent numbers:
• Containment: 0 percent
• Resources: 469 personnel, 51 fire engines, 14 fire crews, 14 bulldozers, 8 helicopters.
• Injuries: 2 (one, a firefighter with an injured leg taken to Community Regional Medical Center; other unknown)
• Structures: 500 threatened, 8 damaged
Another update is expected after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
A fast-moving brush fire in Oakhurst Monday sparked a massive evacuation of residents and tourists from the foothill community as fire crews from throughout the region tried to keep the flames from spreading.
Named the Junction fire, the blaze quickly blackened about 1,200 acres in the north end of town and beyond. The fire briefly threatened a pair of massive propane tanks at Suburban Propane along Highway 41 when the company's building was ignited by a spot fire. Fire crews ordered most people to move back a quarter-mile from the business, and firefighters were ready to abandon the fight if flames got too close to the tanks themselves.
"The tanks are going to do what they are going to do and it's going to be bad," one fire official was heard saying on a radio.
In the end, the tanks were spared. Other structures were not so lucky.
As of 9 p.m., eight structures were destroyed, and at least 500 more were threatened. Gov. Jerry Brown's office announced late Monday that a federal emergency grant will help defray 75% of the firefighting costs.
Two firefighters were injured, and one was taken to a hospital for evaluation, fire officials said.
The fire prompted officials to close Highway 41 and evacuate hotels and other businesses along the route. More than 13,000 homes and businesses were given evacuation orders, according to the Madera County Sheriff's Office.
Wildfires have been a worry for Oakhurst residents since 1961, when the Harlow fire, stoked by winds, roared across more than 42,000 acres around the town in a little over two days. It has long been regarded as one of the fastest-moving fires on record.
Only a wind change spared the town, which had far fewer residents and homes than it has today.
Rhonda Salisbury, Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau marketing director, said Oakhurst hasn't seen a fire that significant in more than 50 years.
"We're all ready to get out our hoses," she said. "We love this town and community and these firefighters have had such a hard time in the last couple years. We want to do what we can to help, but there's not a lot of water and it's hot and dry."
With a big plume of smoke towering over the town on Monday, businesses were shutting down early. Salisbury added that it was difficult to know whether they were closing because of the evacuation, or just to get out of the way of firefighters. "They basically need us all off the road."
The blaze was reported as a plume of smoke about 1:50 p.m. Don Stein, the division chief for Madera County Cal Fire, said the fire started in the area of a known homeless encampment near Road 425-A and Quail Drive on the northeast edge of Oakhurst. Still, fire officials were uncertain what sparked the fire.
"We haven't made a determination on the cause," he said.
The fire started in the northern end of Oakhurst and was initially moving away from the community. But when the winds shifted to the southeast, he said, the fire moved toward town.
About 5:30 p.m., the winds shifted again, pushing the fire back toward the northeast. That's about when Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power to nearly 4,000 customers in and around Oakhurst, spokesman J.D. Guidi said. By Monday night, power remained out for about 2,000 customers.
By nightfall, the fire had jumped Highway 41 and was spreading near the Lewis Creek drainage area below Bass Lake where the terrain is steep, the brush is overgrown and there is a lot of fallen timber.
Evacuating Oakhurst
Firefighters from Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and Madera County as well as other local fire departments, including the Fresno and Hanford fire departments, converged on Oakhurst. Helicopters and air tankers also were called in to help.
As fire crews jammed roads getting into Oakhurst, residents and tourists -- and picture-takers -- jammed the roads out of town, creating a frenzy as worried residents asked Madera County sheriff's deputies questions about the fire and the evacuation. Road closures also complicated the evacuation.
As of Monday night, road closures remained in effect for Highway 41 at Road 426, Road 222 at Road 274, and Highway 41 at Road 222. In addition, anyone planning to enter or leave Yosemite National Park was advised to take a different route than Highway 41.
As fire alarms sounded Monday afternoon in nearby buildings, Oakhurst residents and National Park tourists gathered outside a local Rite Aid eating ice cream.
Cody Goodwin, Greg Steffen and Jesse Gallet waited for a call from Tenaya Lodge where they work to see if they were going in to work Monday.
"It's a snow day for us until the roads are open," Goodwin, 31, said. "As long as we're waiting, we're getting paid."
Dave and Kathy Schollman were on their way back from Sequoia National Park. The Minnesota residents landed in Seattle last week and were touring the national parks along the West Coast.
They stayed in the Best Western Oakhurst Sunday night, and because of Highway 41 closures they weren't able to retrieve their luggage.
"Every time I come to California something happens,' Dave Schollman said. "Last time we were here was for the 1989 earthquake. I guess my bucket list is complete."
Clinging to hope
For many others, however, the fire and evacuation order left them close to tears and searching for information.
"It's tense, but calm," said Jessica Piffero, an American Red Cross information officer staffing an evacuation center at the Oakhurst Community Center. "People are worried about their homes and properties and possessions. We're working together with other government agencies so that everything goes as smoothly as possible."
The Oakhurst evacuation center wasn't open long -- the center was ordered closed about 6 p.m. because of the fire's proximity.
Evacuees were then directed to go to Coarsegold where the Red Cross set up shelter at the Coarsegold Community Center on Highway 41. The evacuees and Red Cross officials had to use Road 425 since Highway 41 was closed.
In Coarsegold, a man sitting on a bench smoked a cigarette with a scanner in hand, waiting to hear if his house had burned down. Families gathered around cell phones to get updates on the fire. Tears were shed as new updates were shared.
About 150 Oakhurst residents had gathered at the Coarsegold community center as of Monday evening, according to the Red Cross. The Red Cross plans to open a second shelter at the Yosemite Lakes Park Community Church on Patrick Avenue in Yosemite Lakes Park. Animals are permitted at the Coarsegold shelter, but not at the Yosemite Lakes Park shelter, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said.
In Coarsegold, Red Cross workers were helping get people set up with cots and blankets. Gatorade, water and snacks were brought by Scott Browar and his son, Austin. They are both residents of Coarsegold.
"These people are our neighbors," Scott Browar said. "We are just trying to help any way we can."
In the gravel parking lot, a group of mobile home residents sat in folding chairs, nervously waiting to hear if they were homeless. Corkie Swalm has lived in her Oakhurst mobile home for 10 years.
"My son called me and said, 'Mom, grab your cat and start driving! That fire is headed straight for you'," Swalm said.
As tears filled her eyes and fire trucks whizzed past, Swalm realized she didn't grab anything of value.
"You just go completely blank when something like this happens," Swalm said. "I didn't grab a single thing."
School closures Tuesday As a result of the fire, Yosemite Unified School District officials announced school closures for Tuesday:
• Wasuma Elementary School and Ahwahnee Middle School, both in Ahwahnee
• Oakhurst Elementary and Oakhurst Intermediate School and Yosemite High School, all in Oakhurst
Staying open are Rivergold and Coarsegold elementary schools in Coarsegold.
For more infomation, go to #FIREDAYSCHOOLSCHEDULES on Twitter.
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/08/18/4076154/brushfire-breaks-out-near-oakhurst.html#storylink=cpy
The Fresno Bee
August 18, 2014
10 AM
OAKHURST — Tuesday morning update:
Fresh fire crews from around the state are rushing to eastern Madera County, south of Yosemite National Park, to battle the Junction fire as authorities brace for high temperatures and renewed winds, which could rekindle embers and again send flames toward homes in Oakhurst and Bass Lake.
Monday night the fire was halted just a mile from downtown Oakhurst with the help of several large air drops of retardant, several of which were carried in by tankers that flew in from out of state.
Cooler overnight temperatures and higher humidity allowed firefighters to gain a respite from the fire, which so far has burned 1,800 acres and injured two firefighters.
Calfire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson said the Bass Lake area is of high concern for firefighters because the densely populated area is filled with narrow, one-way roads, which makes evacuations difficult and limits maneuverability for firefighting vehicles.
Christopherson said record drought conditions have created monumental challenges.
"This is new history," he said. "Stuff (that) guys with 30 years of experience have never seen before."
Christopherson did not have information about the condition of the injured firefighters.
On Monday Gov. Jerry Brown got a federal grant that will reimburse local, state and tribal fire agencies 75 percent of their costs for fighting the fire. Those agencies will pay the remaining 25 percent.
Other pertinent numbers:
• Containment: 0 percent
• Resources: 469 personnel, 51 fire engines, 14 fire crews, 14 bulldozers, 8 helicopters.
• Injuries: 2 (one, a firefighter with an injured leg taken to Community Regional Medical Center; other unknown)
• Structures: 500 threatened, 8 damaged
Another update is expected after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
A fast-moving brush fire in Oakhurst Monday sparked a massive evacuation of residents and tourists from the foothill community as fire crews from throughout the region tried to keep the flames from spreading.
Named the Junction fire, the blaze quickly blackened about 1,200 acres in the north end of town and beyond. The fire briefly threatened a pair of massive propane tanks at Suburban Propane along Highway 41 when the company's building was ignited by a spot fire. Fire crews ordered most people to move back a quarter-mile from the business, and firefighters were ready to abandon the fight if flames got too close to the tanks themselves.
"The tanks are going to do what they are going to do and it's going to be bad," one fire official was heard saying on a radio.
In the end, the tanks were spared. Other structures were not so lucky.
As of 9 p.m., eight structures were destroyed, and at least 500 more were threatened. Gov. Jerry Brown's office announced late Monday that a federal emergency grant will help defray 75% of the firefighting costs.
Two firefighters were injured, and one was taken to a hospital for evaluation, fire officials said.
The fire prompted officials to close Highway 41 and evacuate hotels and other businesses along the route. More than 13,000 homes and businesses were given evacuation orders, according to the Madera County Sheriff's Office.
Wildfires have been a worry for Oakhurst residents since 1961, when the Harlow fire, stoked by winds, roared across more than 42,000 acres around the town in a little over two days. It has long been regarded as one of the fastest-moving fires on record.
Only a wind change spared the town, which had far fewer residents and homes than it has today.
Rhonda Salisbury, Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau marketing director, said Oakhurst hasn't seen a fire that significant in more than 50 years.
"We're all ready to get out our hoses," she said. "We love this town and community and these firefighters have had such a hard time in the last couple years. We want to do what we can to help, but there's not a lot of water and it's hot and dry."
With a big plume of smoke towering over the town on Monday, businesses were shutting down early. Salisbury added that it was difficult to know whether they were closing because of the evacuation, or just to get out of the way of firefighters. "They basically need us all off the road."
The blaze was reported as a plume of smoke about 1:50 p.m. Don Stein, the division chief for Madera County Cal Fire, said the fire started in the area of a known homeless encampment near Road 425-A and Quail Drive on the northeast edge of Oakhurst. Still, fire officials were uncertain what sparked the fire.
"We haven't made a determination on the cause," he said.
The fire started in the northern end of Oakhurst and was initially moving away from the community. But when the winds shifted to the southeast, he said, the fire moved toward town.
About 5:30 p.m., the winds shifted again, pushing the fire back toward the northeast. That's about when Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power to nearly 4,000 customers in and around Oakhurst, spokesman J.D. Guidi said. By Monday night, power remained out for about 2,000 customers.
By nightfall, the fire had jumped Highway 41 and was spreading near the Lewis Creek drainage area below Bass Lake where the terrain is steep, the brush is overgrown and there is a lot of fallen timber.
Evacuating Oakhurst
Firefighters from Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and Madera County as well as other local fire departments, including the Fresno and Hanford fire departments, converged on Oakhurst. Helicopters and air tankers also were called in to help.
As fire crews jammed roads getting into Oakhurst, residents and tourists -- and picture-takers -- jammed the roads out of town, creating a frenzy as worried residents asked Madera County sheriff's deputies questions about the fire and the evacuation. Road closures also complicated the evacuation.
As of Monday night, road closures remained in effect for Highway 41 at Road 426, Road 222 at Road 274, and Highway 41 at Road 222. In addition, anyone planning to enter or leave Yosemite National Park was advised to take a different route than Highway 41.
As fire alarms sounded Monday afternoon in nearby buildings, Oakhurst residents and National Park tourists gathered outside a local Rite Aid eating ice cream.
Cody Goodwin, Greg Steffen and Jesse Gallet waited for a call from Tenaya Lodge where they work to see if they were going in to work Monday.
"It's a snow day for us until the roads are open," Goodwin, 31, said. "As long as we're waiting, we're getting paid."
Dave and Kathy Schollman were on their way back from Sequoia National Park. The Minnesota residents landed in Seattle last week and were touring the national parks along the West Coast.
They stayed in the Best Western Oakhurst Sunday night, and because of Highway 41 closures they weren't able to retrieve their luggage.
"Every time I come to California something happens,' Dave Schollman said. "Last time we were here was for the 1989 earthquake. I guess my bucket list is complete."
Clinging to hope
For many others, however, the fire and evacuation order left them close to tears and searching for information.
"It's tense, but calm," said Jessica Piffero, an American Red Cross information officer staffing an evacuation center at the Oakhurst Community Center. "People are worried about their homes and properties and possessions. We're working together with other government agencies so that everything goes as smoothly as possible."
The Oakhurst evacuation center wasn't open long -- the center was ordered closed about 6 p.m. because of the fire's proximity.
Evacuees were then directed to go to Coarsegold where the Red Cross set up shelter at the Coarsegold Community Center on Highway 41. The evacuees and Red Cross officials had to use Road 425 since Highway 41 was closed.
In Coarsegold, a man sitting on a bench smoked a cigarette with a scanner in hand, waiting to hear if his house had burned down. Families gathered around cell phones to get updates on the fire. Tears were shed as new updates were shared.
About 150 Oakhurst residents had gathered at the Coarsegold community center as of Monday evening, according to the Red Cross. The Red Cross plans to open a second shelter at the Yosemite Lakes Park Community Church on Patrick Avenue in Yosemite Lakes Park. Animals are permitted at the Coarsegold shelter, but not at the Yosemite Lakes Park shelter, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said.
In Coarsegold, Red Cross workers were helping get people set up with cots and blankets. Gatorade, water and snacks were brought by Scott Browar and his son, Austin. They are both residents of Coarsegold.
"These people are our neighbors," Scott Browar said. "We are just trying to help any way we can."
In the gravel parking lot, a group of mobile home residents sat in folding chairs, nervously waiting to hear if they were homeless. Corkie Swalm has lived in her Oakhurst mobile home for 10 years.
"My son called me and said, 'Mom, grab your cat and start driving! That fire is headed straight for you'," Swalm said.
As tears filled her eyes and fire trucks whizzed past, Swalm realized she didn't grab anything of value.
"You just go completely blank when something like this happens," Swalm said. "I didn't grab a single thing."
School closures Tuesday As a result of the fire, Yosemite Unified School District officials announced school closures for Tuesday:
• Wasuma Elementary School and Ahwahnee Middle School, both in Ahwahnee
• Oakhurst Elementary and Oakhurst Intermediate School and Yosemite High School, all in Oakhurst
Staying open are Rivergold and Coarsegold elementary schools in Coarsegold.
For more infomation, go to #FIREDAYSCHOOLSCHEDULES on Twitter.
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/08/18/4076154/brushfire-breaks-out-near-oakhurst.html#storylink=cpy
Junction Fire Update 6 AM Tuesday
Tuesday, 19 August 2014 05:29
Junction Fire Update 6 AM Tuesday
Written by Gina Clugston - Sierra News
OAKHURST - The Junction Fire, which started along Highway 49 in Oakhurst at 1:50 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, has now burned some 1,200 acres and is 0% contained. Nearly 500 personnel are battling the blaze that swept through Oakhurst yesterday afternoon, after it was reported as a small vegetation fire near Capitol Pipe.
There are 51 Engines, 14 Hand Crews, 8 bulldozers and numerous helicopters and air tankers assigned to the incident.
About 500 structures are threatened, and 8 have been damaged or destroyed. Two injuries have been reported.
Extreme fire conditions related to the current drought situation have hampered containment. Winds and spot fire conditions of ¼ to ½ mile ahead of the main fire have also created many challenges.
Firefighters are hopeful that lower temperatures, a rise in humidity and less wind will provide them with the ability to establish containment lines, utilizing hand crews and dozers.
Firefighters from throughout the Central Valley and the state are being deployed to defend homes in the area.
The Red Cross is assisting with all evacuation shelters.
Evacuations are in effect for the following areas :
Mandatory -
Road 620 between Highway 41 and Lone Oak Lane
Jean Road East, Jean Road West, Scott Road and Taylor Mountain
All residence and business between Highway 41 North from Road 426 to Road 620
Advisory -
Sky Ranch Road, and the community of Cedar Valley
Evacuation Shelters:
Yosemite Lakes Community Church, 43840 Patrick, Coarsegold CA
Coarsegold Community Center, 35540 Highway 41, Coarsegold CA
Road Closures:
Highway 41 from Road 426 to Road 620
Road 222 from Highway 41 to Road 274
School Closures:
All Schools along Road 427(School Road) Oakhurst.
Cooperating Agencies:
Madera County Sheriff, Mariposa County Sheriff, Madera County Fire, United States Forest Service, CAL OES, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CHP, Red Cross, PG&E, Cal Trans, and Madera County Office of Emergency Services.
With summer weather and extreme drought conditions, Cal Fire is asking everyone to continue to use caution, "One Less Spark - One Less Wildfire". For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.
Junction Fire Update 6 AM Tuesday
Written by Gina Clugston - Sierra News
OAKHURST - The Junction Fire, which started along Highway 49 in Oakhurst at 1:50 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, has now burned some 1,200 acres and is 0% contained. Nearly 500 personnel are battling the blaze that swept through Oakhurst yesterday afternoon, after it was reported as a small vegetation fire near Capitol Pipe.
There are 51 Engines, 14 Hand Crews, 8 bulldozers and numerous helicopters and air tankers assigned to the incident.
About 500 structures are threatened, and 8 have been damaged or destroyed. Two injuries have been reported.
Extreme fire conditions related to the current drought situation have hampered containment. Winds and spot fire conditions of ¼ to ½ mile ahead of the main fire have also created many challenges.
Firefighters are hopeful that lower temperatures, a rise in humidity and less wind will provide them with the ability to establish containment lines, utilizing hand crews and dozers.
Firefighters from throughout the Central Valley and the state are being deployed to defend homes in the area.
The Red Cross is assisting with all evacuation shelters.
Evacuations are in effect for the following areas :
Mandatory -
Road 620 between Highway 41 and Lone Oak Lane
Jean Road East, Jean Road West, Scott Road and Taylor Mountain
All residence and business between Highway 41 North from Road 426 to Road 620
Advisory -
Sky Ranch Road, and the community of Cedar Valley
Evacuation Shelters:
Yosemite Lakes Community Church, 43840 Patrick, Coarsegold CA
Coarsegold Community Center, 35540 Highway 41, Coarsegold CA
Road Closures:
Highway 41 from Road 426 to Road 620
Road 222 from Highway 41 to Road 274
School Closures:
All Schools along Road 427(School Road) Oakhurst.
Cooperating Agencies:
Madera County Sheriff, Mariposa County Sheriff, Madera County Fire, United States Forest Service, CAL OES, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CHP, Red Cross, PG&E, Cal Trans, and Madera County Office of Emergency Services.
With summer weather and extreme drought conditions, Cal Fire is asking everyone to continue to use caution, "One Less Spark - One Less Wildfire". For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.
Junction Fire in Oakhurst Threatens Homes, Evacuation Orders Issued
Monday, August 18, 2014 FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fire crews are scrambling to put out the Junction Fire in Oakhurst. The Madera County Sheriff's Office tells Action News, 500 acres have burned so far, and 300 homes are threatened.
There is a mandatory evacuation order for all businesses and residents along the Highway 41 corridor between Highway 49 and Sky Ranch Road. As well as the Jean Road East and West, Scott Road, Taylor Mountain, Indian Springs, Road 427, Road 632, Cedar Valley, and John West Road subdivisions.
The fire has jumped Highway 41 and is heading toward Hidden Falls. More than 1,500 evacuation notices have been issued for residents in the area.
The evacuation center has now moved from the Oakhurst Community Center to the Coarsegold Community Center, after the fire began to threaten the Oakhurst center.
The American Red Cross is on scene to aid evacuees.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office released the following statement to Action News:
BRUSH FIRE IN OAKHURST - MULTI STRUCTURES THREATENED
Update on Number of Evacuation Orders and Warnings as of 8:48 PM Pacific Time
Madera County Sheriff John Anderson has issued
EVACUATION ORDERS -- 13,000
EVACUATION WARNINGS -- 2,500
The 13,000 evacuation Orders remain in effect. Road closures posted earlier (Highway 41 at Road 426, Road 222 and Road 274, Highway 41 and 222) also remain in effect.
SCHOOL CLOSURES:
Yosemite Unified School District has announced the following schools will be closed tomorrow due to the Oakhurst Fire:
Wasuma Elementary School -- located on Highway 49 -- Ahwahnee
Ahwahnee Middle School -- located on Highway 49 -- Ahwahnee
Oakhurst Intermediate School -- located on Indian Springs Road and Road 427 -- Oakhurst
Yosemite High School -- located on Road 427 -- Oakhurst
Oakhurst Elementary School -- located on Indian Springs Road and Road 427 -- Oakhurst
SCHOOLS THAT REMAIN OPEN:
Rivergold Elementary -- located on Road 400 -- Coarsegold
Coarsegold Elementary -- located on Road 415 -- Coarsegold
This is an evacuation warning for the Indian Springs, Road 427, and Pierce Drive subdivisions. Please prepare to evacuate as ordered by the Sheriff's Office. There is a fire in your area.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ORDERS ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
This is an evacuation order for the following subdivisions: Jean Road East and West, Scott Road, Taylor Mountain, and the entire John West Road subdivision. Evacuate to the Coarsegold Community Center via the following route. East on Road 426 to Road 223 to Road 221 to Road 200 to Highway 41.
Oakhurst Community Shelter is shutting down due its proximity the fire. The Madera County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services is now advising evacuees to go further south to Coarsegold where the American Red Cross has set up shelter at the Coarsegold Community Center on Highway 41.
Mandatory Evacuations for all businesses, and residents along the 41 corridor between CA-49 and Road 632 (Sky Ranch Road)
STRUCTURES are now involved.
Fire has jumped Highway 41 and heading toward Hidden Falls, located in the area of Road 222 and Highway 41.
1,562 Evacuation notices have been issued -- for residents who live in that area, you must take Road 222 to Road 426 to evacuate the area and head to the American Red Cross Evacuation Shelter located at the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425B
Evacuation order for the west side of Ca-41, and east side of Ca-41 south of Road 632, east of Lonesome Oak, west of Road 427, Please evacuate to the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425B
Evacuation Alerts have been issued to residents who live on Road 425A. Additional Evacuation notices have also been issued to residents who live on Road 620 and Hodges Hill.
All evacuees are instructed to go to Oakhurst Community Center located on Road 425B. American Ed Cross has sat shelter at that location.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office is once again urging everyone who has yet to sign up for emergency alerts, anywhere in Madera County to sign up now. Simply log onto MCAlert.org. If you do not have a computer call the Sheriff's Office main number, 559-675-7770 and ask to speak with Erica Stuart, Public Information Officer.
There is a mandatory evacuation order for all businesses and residents along the Highway 41 corridor between Highway 49 and Sky Ranch Road. As well as the Jean Road East and West, Scott Road, Taylor Mountain, Indian Springs, Road 427, Road 632, Cedar Valley, and John West Road subdivisions.
The fire has jumped Highway 41 and is heading toward Hidden Falls. More than 1,500 evacuation notices have been issued for residents in the area.
The evacuation center has now moved from the Oakhurst Community Center to the Coarsegold Community Center, after the fire began to threaten the Oakhurst center.
The American Red Cross is on scene to aid evacuees.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office released the following statement to Action News:
BRUSH FIRE IN OAKHURST - MULTI STRUCTURES THREATENED
Update on Number of Evacuation Orders and Warnings as of 8:48 PM Pacific Time
Madera County Sheriff John Anderson has issued
EVACUATION ORDERS -- 13,000
EVACUATION WARNINGS -- 2,500
The 13,000 evacuation Orders remain in effect. Road closures posted earlier (Highway 41 at Road 426, Road 222 and Road 274, Highway 41 and 222) also remain in effect.
SCHOOL CLOSURES:
Yosemite Unified School District has announced the following schools will be closed tomorrow due to the Oakhurst Fire:
Wasuma Elementary School -- located on Highway 49 -- Ahwahnee
Ahwahnee Middle School -- located on Highway 49 -- Ahwahnee
Oakhurst Intermediate School -- located on Indian Springs Road and Road 427 -- Oakhurst
Yosemite High School -- located on Road 427 -- Oakhurst
Oakhurst Elementary School -- located on Indian Springs Road and Road 427 -- Oakhurst
SCHOOLS THAT REMAIN OPEN:
Rivergold Elementary -- located on Road 400 -- Coarsegold
Coarsegold Elementary -- located on Road 415 -- Coarsegold
This is an evacuation warning for the Indian Springs, Road 427, and Pierce Drive subdivisions. Please prepare to evacuate as ordered by the Sheriff's Office. There is a fire in your area.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ORDERS ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
This is an evacuation order for the following subdivisions: Jean Road East and West, Scott Road, Taylor Mountain, and the entire John West Road subdivision. Evacuate to the Coarsegold Community Center via the following route. East on Road 426 to Road 223 to Road 221 to Road 200 to Highway 41.
Oakhurst Community Shelter is shutting down due its proximity the fire. The Madera County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services is now advising evacuees to go further south to Coarsegold where the American Red Cross has set up shelter at the Coarsegold Community Center on Highway 41.
Mandatory Evacuations for all businesses, and residents along the 41 corridor between CA-49 and Road 632 (Sky Ranch Road)
STRUCTURES are now involved.
Fire has jumped Highway 41 and heading toward Hidden Falls, located in the area of Road 222 and Highway 41.
1,562 Evacuation notices have been issued -- for residents who live in that area, you must take Road 222 to Road 426 to evacuate the area and head to the American Red Cross Evacuation Shelter located at the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425B
Evacuation order for the west side of Ca-41, and east side of Ca-41 south of Road 632, east of Lonesome Oak, west of Road 427, Please evacuate to the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425B
Evacuation Alerts have been issued to residents who live on Road 425A. Additional Evacuation notices have also been issued to residents who live on Road 620 and Hodges Hill.
All evacuees are instructed to go to Oakhurst Community Center located on Road 425B. American Ed Cross has sat shelter at that location.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office is once again urging everyone who has yet to sign up for emergency alerts, anywhere in Madera County to sign up now. Simply log onto MCAlert.org. If you do not have a computer call the Sheriff's Office main number, 559-675-7770 and ask to speak with Erica Stuart, Public Information Officer.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL MEETING
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, August18, 2014 6 PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Michelle Stauffer Ed Mee
Max Stauffer Dale Wohlgemuth
Chad Andrews Stella PIzelo
Staff present:
EsmeMcCarthy
Public present:
3. INTRODUCTIONS
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from 08112014 and 08152014 meetings
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. Note: The public may speak on any item not on the printed agenda. No action may be taken by the Board. The public will also be given the opportunity to comment before or during the Board’s consideration of items.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
8. FINANCIAL REPORT
9. BOARD REPORTS
10. STAFF REPORTS
11. DISCUSSIONS/ACTION ITEMS
11.1. School Policies
11.2. School Budget
12. NEXT MEETING DATE
13. NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
14. ADJOURNMENT
Statewide IRS Phone Scam Reaches Wawona
FOX CT-
The Farmington and Groton Police Departments are warning the public about a sophisticated phone scam that is targeting citizens in the area, and across the country. Some Wawona residents also have reported being targets of this scam. Gary Wuchner, Fire Education and Information Manager for our area, and one of our residents targeted by this scam, recommends the following to anybody else receiving a similar phone call:
contact IRS fraud # - 800- 366-4484. IRS web-site - www.tigta.gov.
Never open an IRS email! They do not work that way - letters are first.
He is also checking on whether filing a report is necessary.
The way the scam works is someone calls to tell you that you owe money to the IRS and that it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded money card or wire transfer. If the person refuses to cooperate they are often threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
The police departments say the IRS does not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid money card or wire transfer. In fact, receiving a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS should be a red flag itself: Generally, the IRS will first contact taxpayers about an issue via mail.
Other characteristics of this scam include:
The Farmington and Groton Police Departments are warning the public about a sophisticated phone scam that is targeting citizens in the area, and across the country. Some Wawona residents also have reported being targets of this scam. Gary Wuchner, Fire Education and Information Manager for our area, and one of our residents targeted by this scam, recommends the following to anybody else receiving a similar phone call:
contact IRS fraud # - 800- 366-4484. IRS web-site - www.tigta.gov.
Never open an IRS email! They do not work that way - letters are first.
He is also checking on whether filing a report is necessary.
The way the scam works is someone calls to tell you that you owe money to the IRS and that it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded money card or wire transfer. If the person refuses to cooperate they are often threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
The police departments say the IRS does not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid money card or wire transfer. In fact, receiving a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS should be a red flag itself: Generally, the IRS will first contact taxpayers about an issue via mail.
Other characteristics of this scam include:
- Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
- Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
- Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling. They also sometimes call from a 202 area code, which is for the Washington, D.C. area.
- Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls.
- Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call center.
- After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.
- If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue–if there really is such an issue.
- If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.
- If you’ve been targeted by this scam you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their FTC Complaint Assistant at FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.
- The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA) requests that victims complete an incident complaint form available at tigta.com. Click on the red tab labeled IRS Impersonation Scam, or call 1.800.366.4484.
- The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords, or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. Recipients should not open any email attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to [email protected].
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL WORKSHOP
Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, August 15, 2014, 2PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
The Yosemite- Wawona Elementary Charter School Board of Directors will be conducting a workshop to develop procedures and policies for the new school. The workshop is open to public input and participation.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, August 11, 2014
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Michelle Stauffer Ed Mee
Max Stauffer Dale Wohlgemuth
Chad Andrews Stella PIzelo
Staff present:
Esme Macarthy
Public present:
INTRODUCTIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. Note: The public may speak on any item not on the printed agenda. No action may be taken by the Board. The public will also be given the opportunity to comment before or during the Board’s consideration of items.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approve expenditure for opening supplies, i.e. toilet paper, dish soap, etc.
Approve expenditure to Hartesveldt Construction for $400 to finish stove vent installation.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT
BOARD REPORTS
STAFF REPORTS
DISCUSSIONS/ACTION ITEMS
Report from budget committee, recommendations and approval of 2014-2015 budget.
NEXT MEETING DATE
NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
CLOSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
Employee negotiations Gov. Code 54957.6.
RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION; ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Monday, August 11, 2014
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Michelle Stauffer Ed Mee
Max Stauffer Dale Wohlgemuth
Chad Andrews Stella PIzelo
Staff present:
Esme Macarthy
Public present:
INTRODUCTIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. Note: The public may speak on any item not on the printed agenda. No action may be taken by the Board. The public will also be given the opportunity to comment before or during the Board’s consideration of items.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approve expenditure for opening supplies, i.e. toilet paper, dish soap, etc.
Approve expenditure to Hartesveldt Construction for $400 to finish stove vent installation.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT
BOARD REPORTS
STAFF REPORTS
DISCUSSIONS/ACTION ITEMS
Report from budget committee, recommendations and approval of 2014-2015 budget.
NEXT MEETING DATE
NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
CLOSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
Employee negotiations Gov. Code 54957.6.
RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION; ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Tuolumne County man charged in Rim Fire investigation
In this Friday, July 25, 2014 photo, trees destroyed by 2013's Rim Fire, in the Stanislaus National Forest near Groveland, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
SCOTT SMITH
Thursday, August 07, 2014
FRESNO, Calif. --
A California man was charged Thursday with starting the state's third-largest wildfire, a 2013 blaze that charred hundreds of square miles of land in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest.
A grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Keith Matthew Emerald, 32, alleging he started a fire Aug. 17, 2013, and it spread beyond his control and turned into the massive Rim Fire.
The fire raged for two months across 400 square miles of land. The wildfire also ranks as the largest in the Sierra Nevada's recorded history. The costs of fighting it totaled more than $125 million. Federal prosecutors said temporary fire restrictions in place at the time prohibited fires.
Investigators said Emerald, who has not been arrested, has at times admitted to starting the fire and other times denied it.
Hunting for deer with a bow that day, he initially told investigators that he caused a rock slide that sparked the fire, according to a search warrant affidavit for sites, including his house. He then allegedly suggested it was started by marijuana growers in the area.
After multiple interviews, he acknowledged starting a fire and cooking a meal. He burned trash from his backpack, but some of the embers blew uphill and set the brush on fire, he allegedly told investigators in a handwritten statement with some misspellings.
"The terrain was almost vertical, so I physically couldn't put it out," he wrote.
He expressed concern about possible community retaliation if his name were disclosed.
He was picked up by a rescue helicopter from the Clavey River Canyon area of the Stanislaus National Forest about an hour after the fire was reported, prosecutors said.
A resident of Columbia, a town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Emerald is also charged with lying to a federal agent by saying he did not set the fire. A call to his attorney, federal public defender Janet Bateman, was not immediately returned.
Prosecutors said no court date has been set for his arraignment.
Authorities previously said the wildfire was started by an illegal fire set by a hunter, but they withheld the hunter's name pending further investigation.
"The Rim Fire was one of the largest in California history and caused tremendous economic and environmental harm," U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in a written statement. "While those harms cannot be undone, today we have brought criminal charges relating to the cause of the fire."
The charges were the result of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and the Tuolumne County district attorney's office, Wagner said.
SCOTT SMITH
Thursday, August 07, 2014
FRESNO, Calif. --
A California man was charged Thursday with starting the state's third-largest wildfire, a 2013 blaze that charred hundreds of square miles of land in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest.
A grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Keith Matthew Emerald, 32, alleging he started a fire Aug. 17, 2013, and it spread beyond his control and turned into the massive Rim Fire.
The fire raged for two months across 400 square miles of land. The wildfire also ranks as the largest in the Sierra Nevada's recorded history. The costs of fighting it totaled more than $125 million. Federal prosecutors said temporary fire restrictions in place at the time prohibited fires.
Investigators said Emerald, who has not been arrested, has at times admitted to starting the fire and other times denied it.
Hunting for deer with a bow that day, he initially told investigators that he caused a rock slide that sparked the fire, according to a search warrant affidavit for sites, including his house. He then allegedly suggested it was started by marijuana growers in the area.
After multiple interviews, he acknowledged starting a fire and cooking a meal. He burned trash from his backpack, but some of the embers blew uphill and set the brush on fire, he allegedly told investigators in a handwritten statement with some misspellings.
"The terrain was almost vertical, so I physically couldn't put it out," he wrote.
He expressed concern about possible community retaliation if his name were disclosed.
He was picked up by a rescue helicopter from the Clavey River Canyon area of the Stanislaus National Forest about an hour after the fire was reported, prosecutors said.
A resident of Columbia, a town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Emerald is also charged with lying to a federal agent by saying he did not set the fire. A call to his attorney, federal public defender Janet Bateman, was not immediately returned.
Prosecutors said no court date has been set for his arraignment.
Authorities previously said the wildfire was started by an illegal fire set by a hunter, but they withheld the hunter's name pending further investigation.
"The Rim Fire was one of the largest in California history and caused tremendous economic and environmental harm," U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in a written statement. "While those harms cannot be undone, today we have brought criminal charges relating to the cause of the fire."
The charges were the result of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and the Tuolumne County district attorney's office, Wagner said.
Tom Bopp and the Wawona Philharmonic play Wawona Moon with a little help from their friends
The traditional summer barn dances are dwindling down to the last two dates, August 16 and 30. If you get a chance, don't miss them. A lot of fun for all ages. 8 to 10 pm.
