Harden Fire Activity Slows
Incident: Harden Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/7/2009
The Grouse and Harden fires in Yosemite National Park are nearing the established boundaries that managers planned for the incidents. The Grouse Fire is three miles southwest of Yosemite Valley and north of Glacier Point Road, 3,007 acres and 90 percent contained. The Harden Fire on the north side of the park, west of Harden Lake and northwest of White Wolf is currently 1,661 acres and 95 percent contained. Preparations are in place to transition management of the fires back to the local unit later this week.
When the fires started late May and early June, officials identified areas where the fires could be managed for multiple objectives. The objectives include restoring fire dependent forest systems, reducing hazardous fuel accumulation, managing smoke production, protecting wildlife habitat and preserving cultural and natural resources.
The highest priority on the Grouse and Harden fires and all other fires is firefighter and public safety. Each day's operations are planned with this objective in mind. Another objective for the fires is smoke management. Throughout the duration of the incidents, park staff has worked closely with Mariposa and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts discussing planned operations and potential for smoke impacts to the park and outlying areas. Fire managers with every fire always consider public health, related to air quality. To see air quality data, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm
"During the past few weeks, smoke impacts from our two fires have been low to moderate in sensitive areas of Yosemite and our gateway communities," said Taro Pusina, Acting Prescribed Fire & Fuels Manager. "We have been very fortunate to have good smoke dispersal during the management of these fires. We understand the inconvenience smoke creates for our visitors and community members. We also want the public to understand the importance of managing fire across the landscape when conditions are appropriate in order to reduce the occurrence of severe large fires in the future. Fires always have and always will occur in California and ones that burn under low to moderate conditions are much more desirable and manageable for firefighters and directly benefit our communities and other values of importance."
Even though the fires are reaching the boundaries that managers set for the incidents and the percentage contained is increasing, the fires are not out yet. Fire activity will continue within the perimeters for some time.
On the Grouse Fire Monday, personnel completed work on the containment line from Glacier Point Road to Wawona Road. Crews also scouted and removed fire-weakened trees that create hazardous conditions. For firefighter and public safety along Wawona Road, it was necessary to limit traffic to one lane. Temporary road delays will continue Tuesday.
On the Harden Fire, personnel continued securing containment lines and patrolling for lingering embers. Trail closures remain in effect on the Harden Fire until further notice. The trails are Smith Meadow to White Wolf and Aspen Valley to White Wolf. There is an alternate route to Pate Valley from White Wolf, which bypasses the Harden Lake area.
Weather forecasters advise fire officials that several low- pressure systems are heading toward the area, which may bring cooler temperatures and possible strong winds.
Travelers are advised of temporary road delays and closures, due to smoke and firefighters working along the Wawona Road and the Glacier Point Road. Travelers will see fire and smoke along the roads. For firefighter and driver safety, please use caution.
All park facilities remain open. For additional information, please call 209-375-9574.
