8371
From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Massive RIM fire/Yosemite Nat'l Park - heartbreaking to see it!
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seeing these areas burn that were so dear to those of us who have either visited or like myself worked in the park, I pray they can somehow get control of this monster burning some of the most beautiful, pristine forests on earth! Right now, maybe an east wind would help it burn back on itself. Prevailing winds have been from the west which is threatening Yosemite village and burning right into Hetch Hetchy valley, reservoir where San Francisco's water comes from. My sister said she heard it's threatening SF's electrical grid as well though am not sure how that's happening. According to Wildlands hotlist forum, there are now 3400 firefighters, etc: Post from the 23rd: Values at Risk: Immediate threats to approximately 2000 residences in Block 4 (Tuolumne City) and Block 6 (Ponderosa Hills) with Evacuation Advisories (Reverse 911 Calls) issued. Immediate threat to Powerline infrastructure south of the Tuolumne River, State Highway 120 and the north entrance to Yosemite. Water quality. Recreational fishing and hunting along Tuolumne and Clavey Rivers, tourism and rafting are a concern due to possible closures. Risks to Historical and Significant Cultural Resources damage. Fire has spread to the west of Paper Cabin Ridge in DIV B and prompted Evacuation Advisories to be issued to Tuolumne City and nearby areas along the HWY 108 corridor. Structure defense continues to be an issue with the Rim incident. Access is still a concern for crews and equipment. Aerial resources with are being effective with MAFFS and V-LAT DC-10 air tankers prepping locations in advance of the fires spread towards the HWY 108 corridor. The very high potential for long-range spotting however remains a significant concern for fire to advance beyond the retardant lines and allow for fire spread into the communities of Tuolumne City, Twain Harte and Long Barn. At the link is the forum thread which is now on page 14. Lots of info there. I'll post another link below this post for more info with maps. The above map is from today. |
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From: Karen in IL, [DNS_Address]
Subject: A Mass Call for Prayer
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in such full agreement with Sheila on this I wanted to state it in the Subject box! We just don't always think to pray, when it should be the first order of our day! |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: A Mass Call for Prayer - YES!!
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that's just what is needed now. I literally pray over all those maps, pics, and it IS my 1st order of the day now. Maybe we should ask this on the personal bd? Maybe someone up there could do a rain dance too? I did one in my backyard last week and while other areas around us didn't get much rain, we got a great downpour later that evening! It must be done with greatest, purest spiritual intent though. |
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8377
From: Curly Bear, [DNS_Address]
Subject: My Backyard (almost)...
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I'm in Sonora, but not in any danger from this fire. However, the smoke in the mornings is so thick and heavy I don't venture outdoors until the afternoon, when eht wind starts blowing the smoke away. (during the evenings an inversion layer forms and holds the smoke in at ground level across a very wide region). I've friends in Soulsbyville and Tuolumne City (actually its a town) who are under "advisory evacuation" which means they don't have to evac but BE PREPARED nonetheless. Last Friday the fire was headed towards Tuolumne City but Cal-Fire fortunately had a DC-10 tanker and other large air tankers make repeated drops of retardant along that leading edge of the fire and they stopped this edge of the fire in its tracks, thank God. It was just two ridges away (5 miles) from populated areas. One of the reasons that this fire is so big is that it is burning in some very deep ravines, which are only accessible by air drops. There's no way to safely get ground crews in these ravines to fight the fire. Right now (Aug 26) the fire is being pushed up the Sierra Nevada Mountains by the winds. There are a series of deep, steep ravines that the fire is now following North to Northeast up into the mountains. The fire is only 15% contained and I've no idea when the firefighters will get the upper hand on it. Fortunately we have over 3,600 firefighters from all over California fighting this fire, plus every available air tanker. I totally trust the fire commanders and personnel, we're fortunate to have professionals who know exactly what they're doing leading the fighting of this fire. THANK YOU To EVERYONE WHO SHARED MAPS!!! I talked with our local radio station (they also post updates on the web) about the low-resolution maps we've been given on the web. They told me that those low-res maps are exactly what the Forestry folks give them...when they asked the forestry for better maps they were told "That's the best we've got". Well let me tell YOU, the maps in this post are far better than what we have. I've bookmarked a couple and will see if I can recreate these high-res maps with updated fire map tomorrow. Praying for the safety of the firefighters, the animals, the community, and that this fire be extinguished ~ quickly! ~Peace~ |
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From: terra, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: My Backyard (almost)...Prayers sent Curly Bear Stay Safe n/t(NT)
| (NT) |
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8380
From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: My Backyard (almost)... see the map (above post) it's a good one
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it's the best I've found yet because it shows by name all the towns, etc. I'm very familiar with that area as we used to have a cabin in Mariposa and I worked for Yosemite park and Curry Co. for a year back in the 60s. As our children were growing up, we would camp in many areas around this fire. I'm so very saddened by this terrible fire but the firefighters deserve kudos for their efforts and our prayers - please send prayers to them all. Also, prayers for all the evacuees, their families and I did hear that the Red Cross has been very rude to these families in a couple of their centers. That from at least 8 folks on CALFIRE'S facebook page. Sure hope the air clears for all of you there Curly Bear! I cried real tears of grief for all the creatures (there are so many in these areas) when I realized the extent and ferocity of this fire! |
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From: susanna, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: My Backyard (almost)... see the map (above post) it's a good one
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Thanks for all the info on this fire. My rock climbing guide was through Curry Co. We spent a lot of time rock climbing, camping and hiking around Tuolumne Meadows and the valley. All updates on this fire are appreciated. Thanks for the local reports, too, Curly Bear. |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: some great photos of why Yosemite matters
URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/yosemite-photos_n_3818872.html?utm_hp_ref=green
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Tuolumne Meadows was our favorite place to hike when I worked there. Tenaya lake was our fav. camping site, it was a small campground then, don't know what it's like now but did just now find a beautiful picture of it above. At the link are 14 other pics of the Sequoias, waterfalls, all the places that are so priceless. Several years later when we still had our cabin in Mariposa, we'd motorcycle through the back country, find so many pristine, beautiful meadows so full of wildflowers you couldn't take a step without stepping on them! My childhood memories of family outings to Yosemite, Sequoia, etc., so precious and often wonder what they look like these days. Haven't ventured there for many years yet the special bond and love for the area never goes away. :( |
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From: marja, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some great photos of why Yosemite matters
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cool pics, -my favorite thing to do out there is to hike to the back country , -the true wilderness and discover the most gorgeous mountain meadows..... you know exactly how those meadows are.... I'm thinking of all the animals , -the bears should be eating foraciously right now to get ready to hibernate....what's happened to their food source.... |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: yeah, the bears, deer, birds, all the creatures
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lost most likely, this fire spread so fast, I fear may creatures were lost in it. We used to run across bears all the time in these areas. They mostly minded their own business. Maybe they knew how much I love them all? Ah the meadows, well, they'll survive but whole forests have been burnt to a crisp according to some reports. |
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From: marja, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: yeah, the bears, deer, birds, all the creatures
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I think the coolest thing out there I've seen was a gorgeous mountain lion jumping across the road in front of the car at 3am.....such a beautiful putty cat lol... camping I always check the paw marks in the morning, -lots of bears and mountain lions as well..... I wonder if this year the snowfall will be normal, -then the season starts earlier, -the road thru Tioga Pass will be closed soon as well.... |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: just read, they had to closse Tioga Road. White Wolf Lodge too!
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because they're clearing brush, the fire is so close. It's closed from Crane Flat to Yosemite Creek. That was not good news. Also, White Wolf Lodge is closed, has apparently been for a couple of days. We used to go there during the quiet season (Fall) in the park. Those folks would break out the beer and once it was a bit hard to drive back to the valley! There are beautiful meadows around White Wolf, the above photo is there. Crikey I'm so saddened by that. They also said that the whole migratory areas for deer are just gone, didn't know if the deer are gone too? And there's a rare owl habitat that got burned to a crisp. My God Marja, it's never going to be the same in our lifetimes or even our children's. |
8396
From: Redhart, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: just read, they had to closse Tioga Road. White Wolf Lodge too!
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Certainly (and sadly) some surely perished, but others surely ran away ahead of the fire. That brings up another caution to those in the area they may have to contend with: confused wildlife. After a fire here, there were bear attacks and wildlife sightings that were unusual (like a black bear in a tree at a local elementary school within town limits). People who live in neighboring areas to the fire should be extra cautious of confused, scared and sometimes dangerous animals who may be freaked out and wander in places they don't usually go. |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: just read, they had to closse Tioga Road. White Wolf Lodge too!
| thanks Redhart, I hadn't thought of that but it makes sense that these creatures would be freaked out to the point where they'd travel to places they otherwise wouldn't like to go. |
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8394
From: marja, [DNS_Address]
Subject: sheila
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this is all just so sad, -it's almost weird how well I do know all the areas being affected out there.... I've been going camping there since I moved to US and it's so hard to observe this all.... I've explored all the back country out there, by the way there is a marine training camp out in the wild out there and one of my memories is camping next to a mountain meadow and waking up there was a full battalion of marines scaling down the mountain and marching thru the meadow.... I looked at them , they looked at me lol... i just wanted to cook them breakfast ... I'm a small blonde girl and these guys most likely thought why is she out here....too mucho.... |
8397
From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: I guess you, Susanna and myself are alone here?
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well let's hear it for soul sisters who have actually been there, experienced the most amazing place on the whole earth! My history there is rife with so many stories I could write a book, and it appears yours is too. I'm kind of gobsmacked that others who I know to be regulars don't seem to care about the most beautiful gift God ever gave us - ala Yosemite, Sequoias that are the oldest living beings on earth, etc. We've lost so many posters, I guess that's the reason, because I can't figure out any other reason save most folks have never been to Yosemite? ITMT, we are aggrieved at the demise of so much of what has burned and all the memories, all the hikes in the back country - makes me shed realtime tears. At least you, Susanna and I can share our memories!. Fact is though I watch the maps daily, try to keep up with what has burned and not, I have to hold hope that this fire won't screw up everything we all experienced. Blessings to us all who grieve the loss. |
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From: marja, [DNS_Address]
Subject: I saw amazing time lapse vid
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this evening, -it was shot at Glacier Point and showed how the fire had progressed.... stunning night skies with all the stars and the fires below....I believe the estimate is that it will be contained within three weeks ??? it's horrid to think how much more of the nature will be destroyed.....the nature will always bounce back but it will take time....the massive ancient trees will never come back..... I always wonder about the things those trees have seen, yes, I'm a certified tree hugger lol.... the fall foliage is so beautiful there, I've some awesome pics I've shot out there.... will be hard to see all the devastation when I go there soon enough.... |
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8399
From: chatillion, [DNS_Address]
Subject: No.
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Youall are not alone, rest assurred. I remember well my times in Muir Woods and Yosemite. Don't think the other regulars don't care. They, along with me, are probably heartsick and saying prayers like mad. |
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8398
From: Judy/W, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: I guess you, Susanna and myself are alone here?
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Sheila, So sorry but dealing with a 56jyr old sister who is a saint, she is raising her 3 grandchildren. She is facing major surgery, and the prognosis not good. But I reject that! I have Been in deep concentration for her giving her all my energy. "Calling on the energy of Earth Angels from the north, south, east and west, to attend to the animals, and stop the fire in Yosemite. Fill the clouds with water to bring healing and relief to that area of our precious Earth. Food and shelter for the animals,the residents and lovers of that beauty. I join energy with all who wish this fire gone, and restoration to begin... my love to all Judy |
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8386
From: susanna, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some great photos of why Yosemite matters
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Tenaya Lake is one of my favorites, too. In the early 90's the traffic became much heavier on Tioga Pass. The valley had become too crowded, for my taste,before that. It's nice cross country skiing in the winter, though. There is nothing like Tuolumne Meadows. Don't tell anybody ;) We tapered off our visits in the early to mid 90's, due to the crowds. Loved to watch the wildlife. The dear, chipmunks, marmots, coyote and bear, to name some. Sitting by the lake, having some lunch and watch the four legged and winged locals, is a trip in itself. Last went to Sequoia in 2006. It was beautiful, still. Stayed there for a few days, and hiked around to visit the trees. Then drove over to Kings Canyon for a cave journey. Wonderful memories, aren't they. |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some great photos of why Yosemite matters
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wonderful memories indeed, too many now as I see what's happening there. Our relatives from Fresno went to the valley 2 weeks ago, took them 2 hours just to get in! I'd never go in the Summer but the Fall and winter seasons were pretty fun and quiet too. Tuolumne Meadows was always my fav place to hike or just sit there and take in the beauty of that place! I haven't been to Sequoia since I was about 15 and Kings Canyon, how I'd love to see that again. |
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8374
From: marja, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Massive RIM fire/Yosemite Nat'l Park - heartbreaking to see it!
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sheila, -this fire is unreal.... I know all those areas real well, -I've my favorite wilderness camping spots out there.... I hope it's not all burnt ....the latest I heard they are taking water out of the Hetch Hetchy reservoir and storing it.... |
8375
From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Massive RIM fire/Yosemite Nat'l Park - heartbreaking to see it!
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isn't it terrible to imagine what all has been burned to the ground! I worked in Yosemite Nat'l Park back in the 60s for 1 year, drove, hiked everywhere there. Also we had a cabin in Mariposa, Ca. and used to explore all that country. I'm just heartbroken to see this happen. I heard that too that they are storing the water for SF. I'm praying for rain for them - would be a miracle right now but that's what they need! |
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From: marja, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Massive RIM fire/Yosemite Nat'l Park - heartbreaking to see it!
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I think there are some thunderstoms in the forecast for out there, -the problem is that any lightning might ignite new fires..... I hope all the old growth sequoias will be saved, I believe they installed some kind of sprinkler system around the ancient trees, -so cool ! this is not even the official fire season yet, it's usually later on in the fall.... the area must had been so pristine in the sixties, I can just imagine.... |
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From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Massive RIM fire/Yosemite Nat'l Park - heartbreaking to see it!
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yes, the whole area was pretty pristine back in the 60s and there weren't the terrible droughts in those days either. While I worked in the valley, there was a huge thunderstorm, lightning, started at least 21 fires along the rim of Yosemite valley (in September), we were all on standby to evacuate but all the fires were put out in jig time thankfully. I heard that too about the sprinklers, pray they work, these trees are some of the oldest in the world! I don't think there's ever been a fire anywhere with this many firefighters - nearly 3800 of them! They are really on this fire so lets hope no more fires start!!! |
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8373
From: Sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: MODIS satellite image for today (Aug. 26th)
| just shows you how huge this monster is. |
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8372
From: sheila, [DNS_Address]
Subject: another map with more detail
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pretty good maps at the link. This is from yesterday (Sunday, Aug 25). Also, FEMA's news: OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California combat the Rim Fire currently burning in Tuolumne County. On August 23, 2013, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Rim Fire burning in Tuolumne County. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 2,434 homes in and around the communities of Buck Meadows, Groveland, Me-wuk Village, Pine Mountain Lake, Ponderosa Hills, Tuolumne City, Twain Harte, and Yosemite Vista, combined population 9,697. Approximately 1,947 of the threatened homes are primary residences and 487 are secondary homes. The fire was also threatening 2,494 buildings, the Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir, power lines, and multiple watersheds in the area. Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 1,050 people, and voluntary evacuations were issued for 2,846 people. The fire started on August 17, 2013, and had burned in excess of 105,620 acres of federal, state, and private land. http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2013/08/26/fema-provides-federal-funding-combat-rim-fire-tuolumne-county-calif |
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From: AL, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re:GREAT POST, SHEILA-thanks N/T(NT)
| (NT) |
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