If any of you are considering going to Yosemite in the coming week; especially if you entering from the west, you should be aware of the road conditions and possible restrictions/closures. Here's a news item from our Sonora News...
"Yosemite, CA -- The Foresta Big Meadow Fire is now estimated to be 4,382 acres and is 50 percent contained.
The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will have restricted access, between Crane Flat and White Wolf, beginning Monday, August 31, continuing until fire operations along the road are complete. This segment of the road will have controlled access with a pilot car during daylight hours, and be closed completely each night. Motorists should expect delays, which could begin as early as Monday morning.
The Big Meadow Fire continues to spread northeast and use of the Tioga Road for fire operations is considered necessary. Fire activity is dynamic and conditions may dictate a complete closure of Tioga Road at any time, according to park officials.
Visitors to Yosemite National Park may also experience delays on Route 140 due to fire operations. The Big Oak Flat Road, from Crane Flat Gas Station
to the intersection of El Portal Road and Big Oak Flat Road, remains closed. In addition, Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat Campgrounds, Foresta, Old El Portal, and Yosemite View Lodge also remain closed. There is no projected opening date at this time."
I'll post any further updates to this thread.
-P
Posted by Robert Dayton on August 31, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Thanks for the update, Preston.
Posted by Dan Truong on August 31, 2009 at 4:12 AM
"Beginning August 31:
From Crane Flat to White Wolf: pilot car during the day; CLOSED at night.
From White Wolf to Tioga Pass: Open"
"The Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest has grown to 4,382 acres and is 50% contained."
I was in Tuolomne this week-end:
- Fri nite we got stuck behind a train of 6 or more fire engines, but those guys are polite and use pullouts as the law requires. It was very smokey to Cranes Flats.
- Talked to people climbing in the valley, and they could see the fire and some were even thinking about retreating their climbs. So apparently quite impressive.
- Sat we were on top of Tenaya peak, and could see the smoke going all the way to Mt Conness.
- Sun when we came back from Saddlebag lake, the skies looked quite clear of smoke, making me think the fire was contained, but obviously not yet...
There was a lot of fire trucks parked on our way out on 120... dozens. Cranes Flats to I-140 was still closed, and rangers standing there.
There is a webcam link on inciweb:
http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/yosecam/yosecam.cfm
Discussion
2 replies"Yosemite, CA -- The Foresta Big Meadow Fire is now estimated to be 4,382 acres and is 50 percent contained.
The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will have restricted access, between Crane Flat and White Wolf, beginning Monday, August 31, continuing until fire operations along the road are complete. This segment of the road will have controlled access with a pilot car during daylight hours, and be closed completely each night. Motorists should expect delays, which could begin as early as Monday morning.
The Big Meadow Fire continues to spread northeast and use of the Tioga Road for fire operations is considered necessary. Fire activity is dynamic and conditions may dictate a complete closure of Tioga Road at any time, according to park officials.
Visitors to Yosemite National Park may also experience delays on Route 140 due to fire operations. The Big Oak Flat Road, from Crane Flat Gas Station
to the intersection of El Portal Road and Big Oak Flat Road, remains closed. In addition, Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat Campgrounds, Foresta, Old El Portal, and Yosemite View Lodge also remain closed. There is no projected opening date at this time."
I'll post any further updates to this thread.
-P
From Crane Flat to White Wolf: pilot car during the day; CLOSED at night.
From White Wolf to Tioga Pass: Open"
"The Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest has grown to 4,382 acres and is 50% contained."
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm
http://inciweb.org/incident/1869/
I was in Tuolomne this week-end:
- Fri nite we got stuck behind a train of 6 or more fire engines, but those guys are polite and use pullouts as the law requires. It was very smokey to Cranes Flats.
- Talked to people climbing in the valley, and they could see the fire and some were even thinking about retreating their climbs. So apparently quite impressive.
- Sat we were on top of Tenaya peak, and could see the smoke going all the way to Mt Conness.
- Sun when we came back from Saddlebag lake, the skies looked quite clear of smoke, making me think the fire was contained, but obviously not yet...
There was a lot of fire trucks parked on our way out on 120... dozens. Cranes Flats to I-140 was still closed, and rangers standing there.
There is a webcam link on inciweb:
http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/yosecam/yosecam.cfm