Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Weather
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - HANFORD CA
1102 PM PDT TUE APR 8 2008
...MUCH WARMER WEATHER ON THE WAY LATER THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND..
A TRANSITION FROM SEASONAL WEATHER TO MUCH WARMER THAN NORMAL WEATHER WILL
TAKE PLACE THIS WEEK AS A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDS OVER THE WEST.
THIS CHANGE TO MUCH WARMER WEATHER WILL CAUSE STREAMS TO RISE IN THE
MOUNTAINS...AND INCREASE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS BY AS
MUCH AS 25 DEGREES. IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...HIGH TEMPERATURES BOTH
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WILL RANGE IN THE MID TO UPPER 80S AND A FEW 90 DEGREE
READINGS CANNOT BE RULED OUT. OVER THE FOOTHILLS AND SIERRA...THE WARMEST
TEMPERATURES OF THE YEAR WILL OCCUR.
ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE MUCH WARMER IN ALL AREAS...THE MAIN CONCERN FROM THIS
MARKED WARM UP WILL BE AN INCREASE IN STREAM FLOW OVER THE FOOTHILLS AND
LOWER SIERRA SLOPES DUE TO INCREASING SNOW MELT RATES. ALTHOUGH FLOODING
CONDITIONS ARE NOT ANTICIPATED...MOST STREAMS AND RIVERS WILL EXPERIENCE
MUCH HIGHER FLOW AND THIS WILL CREATE A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE VENTURING INTO
THE FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS THIS WEEKEND. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH
A SWIFT RUNNING STREAM OR RIVER LOOKS COOL AND INVITING...THE WATER IS
ACTUALLY VERY COLD AND MAY BE DANGEROUSLY FAST. OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS ARE
ADVISED TO STAY OUT OF AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS EVEN THOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES
ARE VERY WARM.
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. NOT AS COLD. HIGHS 48 TO 58 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...
33 TO 43 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 25 TO 35 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...15 TO 25 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
THURSDAY...SUNNY. NOT AS COOL. HIGHS 58 TO 68 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 45 TO
55 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
THURSDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 30 TO 40 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...20 TO 30 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 66 TO 76 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...50 TO 60 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 61. Light wind becoming west
between 10 and 13 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 31. North northwest wind between 5 and 9
mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming west between 7 and
10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind between 3 and
11 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. East northeast wind 5 to 11 mph
becoming west.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire Notification
The National Park Service announces plans to conduct a 2000-acre prescribed
fire near the community of Wawona. Weather and air quality
permitting, this burn is planned to begin April 9. It is estimated this
project will take one to two weeks to complete. It is to be burned in three
units. Unit I is 737 acres. It is bounded to Northwest by the Jack fire,
west to Highway 41, and south, along the Chilnualna Falls Road.
The prime benefit of this burn is to enhance defensible space, providing
important fire protection for the community of Wawona. Fire managers want
to take advantage of last fall’s Jack fire and last spring’s prescribed
fire near the community. Fire personnel will utilize these burned areas as
barriers to fire spreading north and east of the project area. It will also
burn through recent fuel treatments, including thinning and pile burning,
in addition to recent prescribed fires. These recent projects will increase
the margin of safety for firefighters by reducing fire intensity along the
project boundary.
The burn units are composed of grass, brush, pine, oak and other mixed
conifers. Prescribed fire is designed to thin forests and reduce
unnatural fuel loads in areas that are in close proximity to public and
private structures as well as visitor use areas. Fire helps recycle
nutrients to the soil which aids the sprouting and re-growth of plants,
shrubs, and trees, as well as create a mosaic of diverse habitats for
plants and animals.
The spring offers the best opportunity to conduct this particular burn due
to the Southwest exposure. Burning at this time of the year takes
advantage of prevailing Southwest winds to mix, lift and disperse the smoke
production. Park staff will monitor smoke on a consistent daily basis.
However, smoky conditions may exist for the duration of this project,
particularly in the morning, and continue for several days.
Smoke impacts to the roadway may occur. Drivers should use caution and
abide by posted speed limits. Residents and visitors are advised to take
precautions to minimize smoke impacts. People with respiratory problems
should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.
For the safety of the public and for firefighters, the Alder Creek trail
will be closed until this prescribed fire is complete.
For further info: Prescribed Fire Office: (209)375-9574 or 375-9576 (M.
Beasley - 4/8/08)
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Valey Shuttle: Due to the closure of Southside Drive, Shuttle Stop #12 (Le
Conte Memorial/Housekeeping Camp) will be closed and guests and patrons are
directed to Stop 13A (Curry Village). Effective 4/7 - 4/17. (G. Rosenfeld
- 4/8/08)
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El Capitan Shuttle: The El Capitan Shuttle has begun limited service from
the Visitor's Center and Camp 4 to the El Cap Picnic Area. Service
operates daily every thirty minutes from 9:00 to 6:00. After the
construction is completed along Northside Drive, the Shuttle will expand to
include the remaining stops at the cross-over and the four mile trail head.
(G. Rosenfeld - 4/8/08)
New Today
Introduction to NPS Operations: NPS FUNDAMENTALS II
Held at Horace M. Albright Training Center Grand Canyon, Arizona
Space still available:
June 10 – 19
July 15 – 24
July 29 – August 7
August 12 - 21
This training is fully funded by Servicewide Training and Development
No travel or tuition expenses to your benefiting account
Designed for new employees, experienced NPS employees accepted if space
available
Fundamentals website: www.nps.gov/training/fund/index.htm
Register at DOILearn (https://doilearn.doi.gov)
Supervisors: approve employee applications through DOILearn
Questions? Contact Mark Harner at 928-638-7983 or mark_harner@nps.gov (H.
Whitman - 4/9/08)
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FREE FREE FREE - 2 NEW SWING DANCE CLASSES: Introduction to Swing
Two Locations:
El Portal School continues Wednesday night classes, with a new series
beginning April 16
Mariposa High School (Gym) begins a new Thursday night series April 17
TIME: Both locations will offer Level I at 6 pm, & Level II at 7 pm.
This is a 6 week series.
The Level I class will focus on East Coast Swing, also known as Jitterbug.
We will dance to Big Band Music of the 1930s & 40s! Level II will be a
continuation of what the class already knows, and might include some basic
ballroom if time permits, and the class would like it.
he Mariposa Adult Education Department is sponsoring these classes, and is
offering them free to the community! All ages are welcome from 14 years
old thru Senior Citizens!
If you are interested, be sure to show up at the first class. Wear
comfortable clothes - and smooth soled shoes (if you have them) - no flip
flops or backless shoes, please. (socks are great too!)
For more information: mountaindancer@sti.net or cal Lori at (559) 658-8541
(L. Landrin - 4/9/08)
Construction News
North and Southside Drive Rehabilitation
*Reminder>>ROAD CLOSURE APRIL 7th THRU APRIL 17th>>Southside Drive will be
closed between Sentinel Bridge and the west end of Housekeeping. (Access
to Housekeeping, Leconte Memorial, Curry Village, and Campgrounds will be
via Northside Drive.) Northside Drive between Camp-6 Intersection and Curry
Village will become 2-way traffic during this 10-day detour. Also,
Southside Drive will be limited to administrative/residential use between
Curry Village and Housekeeping with 2-way traffic. During this closure
crews will be placing culverts on this segment of Southside Drive. (M.
Pieper - 4/7/08)
Park News
CANCELLED: Tuolumne Public Planning Workshop on April 12 - The Tuolumne
River Plan/Tuolumne Meadow Plan Public Workshop scheduled for Saturday,
April 12 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium
has been CANCELLED while park management considers the implications of the
recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling regarding the Merced River Plan.
For more information on the Tuolumne planning process, visit online at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm. Also check out the project manager’s
Tuolumne Planning Blog at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trpblog.htm.
The aforementioned ruling can be found on the Yosemite National Park
website at: http://home.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/litigation.htm (K. Rylands -
4/2/08)
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Yosemite News Release
April 7, 2008
For Immediate Release
El Portal Market Concessions Contract Awarded in Yosemite National Park
The National Park Service has awarded a concession contact for year-round
operation and management of the El Portal Market, a grocery and general
merchandise store located within the El Portal Administrative Site adjacent
to Yosemite National Park. The contract, which carries a term of six
years, was awarded to Kirstie Dunbar-Kari, d.b.a Kari & Sons, of El Portal,
California. Operations will commence following refurbishments to the
building which are currently being undertaken by the National Park Service.
The El Portal Market has been a fixture in the small community of El
Portal, California for as long as locals can remember. The market was
previously operated by Vaughn, Vaughn and Carter, LLP, and particularly its
principal, Hugh Carter, under concession contracts issued by the National
Park Service since 1966. (-NPS-)
Announcements
Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
HR Corner
Yosemite National Park
Current Vacancy Announcements
UPDATED: April 8, 2008
The following is a summary of current vacancy announcements at Yosemite
National Park. Most vacancy announcements will be posted on
http://www.usajobs.gov. This website is the Office of Personnel
Management's USAJOBS internet site. If you have any questions or cannot
find the announcement on USAJOBS, please call the Park’s Human Resources
Office at (209) 379-1805.
TERM PROMOTION –YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – PERM EMPLOYEES
PARK RANGER (LAW ENFORCEMENT- JAIL), SUPERVISORY
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 184294
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: GS-0025-11
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/7/2008
Closing Date: 4/14/2008
Salary: From 54,494.00 to 70,843.00 USD per
year
PERMANENT -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Budget Clerk (Typing)
Vacancy Ann.#: YP174252-08-PS
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0561-04
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/24/2008
Closing Date: 4/11/2008
Salary: 26,569.00 USD per year
TERM -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED -- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Architect (Historical)
This announcement has been extended. If you previously applied to YP164173
with a complete application package, including copies of your college
transcripts, you need not re-apply.
Vacancy Ann.#: YP164173 ext NH
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0808-09/11
Appointment Term: Term
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/8/2008
Closing Date: 4/29/2008
Salary: From 51,738.00 to 69,013.00 USD
per year
TEMPORARY – STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Wildland Firefighter (Range or Forestry Aid/Technician)
Vacancy Ann.#: DOI-FIRE-2008-006
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0455,0462-02/05
Appointment Term: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 11/30/2007
Closing Date: 4/30/2008
Salary: From 10.09 to 16.37 USD per hour (H. Whitman - 4/9/08)
Community News
6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. It is the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and is supported by the California Arts Council, SierraTel, the James
Irvine Foundation, Mariposa County, and The Geoff and Josie Fox Family
Foundation, a Donor Advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community
Foundation. We are also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and
Stonecutter.com. The views expressed by the films, in print materials, or
by discussion facilitators are not necessarily those of these funders.
This activity is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state
agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a national agency. Monthly
membership is
$12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay $7, and non-member
students pay only $5.
Film/theater information: (209) 966-1333 or
http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org Staff: 209 742-6666. E-mail us:
sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
This week's programs:
Thursday April 10, 7:30p.m. AWFUL NORMAL. (FREE ADMISSION) (Not rated, but
with mature theme; 90 min.) This film is being presented in partnership
with Mountain Crisis Services in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness
Month. Twenty-five years later, feeling unresolved, two sisters begin their
quest to find the man who took advantage of their innocence as children,
and to ask him something that has haunted them for almost their entire
life: "Why?"
Friday-Saturday, April 11-12, 7:30 p.m. MY KID COULD PAINT THAT. (PG-13, 82
min.) In 2004, four-year-old Marla Olmstead of Binghamton, New York, took
the art world by storm. After a New York Times feature, Marla's paintings
began to be compared to the likes of Picasso, and she began raking in
hundreds of thousands of dollars. Then, 60 Minutes did an expose raising
doubts about whether she was a child star or a fraud. This documentary is
outstanding in its capacity to make the viewer think. In the end, this is a
story about adults, not the child artist.
UPCOMING FILMS:
Deliver Us From Evil, April 17 FREE ADMISSION
Juno, April 18-19
Lars and the Real Girl, April 25-26 (T. Arfsten - 4/8/08)
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The 6th Annual El Portal Spring Fling and 3rd Annual El Portal Spring Run
-off will be held Saturday April 26, 2008. This awesome community event
will begin at 7 am with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Yosemite
Lion's club. A 1 mile fun run, 5K and 10K races starting at 9 am. The
festivities will continue with a fun filled day with artisans, excellent
local food vendors and an exciting evening of music sponsored by El Portal
Live and beverages provided by YEA. Come on out and enjoy spring with all
of your friends and neighbors. For more information about the spring
run-off contact Claudine Ronay 379-2967. For spring fling info contact
Rosemary MacCallum 379-2665. (C. Ronay - 3/27/08)
Acting Designation
While David Thorpe is out of the office, Nancy Bissmeyer will be the acting
Communications Branch Chief and Tolleman Gorham will be the Telecom
Supervisor. (N. Bissmeyer - 4/8/08)
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Katy Warner will be the Acting Branch Chief for Physical Science and GIS
from April 8-11. Katy can be reached at 379-1421.
Lee Tarnay will be the Acting Branch Chief for Physical Science and GIS
from April 14-17. Lee can be reached at 379-1420. (J. Meyer - 4/8/08)
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Craig Anthony will be acting Safety Officer while Roger Farmer is on
training. Craig can be reached at 379-1064 Roger will be back in the
office Monday April 14. (C. Ronay - 4/7/08)
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Leslie Reynolds will be the acting Deputy Chief Ranger April 7-10 while I
am out of the park. Eric Gabriel will be acting on April 11 until my
return that day. (C. Cuvelier - 4/7/08)
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Jim Allen will be Acting Utilities Branch Chief from Monday April 7th
through Thursday April 10th. He can be reached at 379-1039 or leave a
message with Katie Bablitch at 379-1055.
Stuart Foster will be Acting Utilities Branch Chief on Friday April 11th.
He can be reached at 379-1828 or leave a message with Katie Bablitch at
379-1055. (K. Bablitch - 4/7/08)
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Deron Mills will be acting Fire Chief from April 6th - April 12th. He can
be contacted at 209-379-1902 (K. Martin - 3/31/08)
