Yosemite Blog

Category: Fire

  • Going High Tech on the Big Meadow Fire

    Today’s modern Army rolls on the backs of satellite communications and high tech reconaissance. Likewise today’s modern fire commander has at his disposal some of the top thermal imaging equipment to help pinpoint potential problems, hotspots, spot fires and gauge the size of the fire. Here’s a thermal imaging map from the USFS (Forest Service)…

  • It’s Almost Pretty

    So the sun is setting and the clouds are overhead. The air still smells of smoke and haze lingers. But even with all the destruction the fire brings, there is beauty in shots like this. With so many homes threatened you don’t want it to be pretty but, you can’t help it. It’s almost pretty.

  • A Really Cool Shot of the Smoke From the Big Meadow Fire

    @reeks707 captured this shot of the smoke plume from the Big Meadow Fire pushing up through the cloud layer as he flew over. Wow! Nice shot.

  • State of Emergency Declared for Yosemite Area

    “Acting Governor John Garamendi has proclaimed a state of emergency for Mariposa County due to a large wildfire burning near Yosemite National Park, according to state officials. The fire has burned 3,506 acres, threatened homes and forced the evacuation of about 500 residents, said Yosemite National Parkspokesman Scott Gediman. The emergency proclamation orders all state…

  • Big Meadow Fire Information Meeting Aug 31st

    There will be an meeting for updates about the Big Meadow Fire on August 31. This meeting will be at the El Portal Elementary School at 6:30.

  • Big Meadow Fire Update 8-29-2009 – Evacuations and Road Closures

    Here’s the word from the last NPS release on the Big Meadow Fire. Currently the fire is over 3506 acres. Old El Portal, Yosemite View Lodge were evacuated last night. Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat campground are closed. Road Closures: The Big Oak Flat Road into Yosemite Valley from Crane Flat to the junction with…

  • Smoke Clogging Yosemite Valley – Air Unhealthy

    Smoke from the Big Meadow fire is clogging the Valley again and is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. It’s not so bad lower down but there’s a thick layer hanging about. If you have any kind of breathing problems you might want to think twice about heading into the Valley. Visibility is severely impeded as…

  • What’s the Real Story Here?

    So yesterday I got 2 emails and 3 twitters about evacutaions in El Portal. Being the responsible, not yelling fire in a crowded theater person I am, I naturally called the National Park Service fire information line. I mean, hey, it was their bar b que. I was told by the person staffing the line…

  • Big Meadow Fire Smoldering?

    From the webcam view on Turtleback Dome it doesn’t appear there has been much growth and the fire in fact, looks to be smoldering. Hopefully all the great men and women who came to help fight the fire and the higher humidity overnight have got this monster beat.

  • Pulled – How the Big Meadow Fire Got It’s Start Video

    So yesterday I posted a video called about the Big Meadow Fire that showed the NPS fire crews setting the fire then the fire getting out of control an d finally the fight to put out the fire. Hopefully enough of you got to see the video because if you return to the post (https://yosemiteblog.com/2009/08/28/how-the-big-meadow-fire-got-its-start-video/)…