Here are some things I noticed reading the Big Meadow Fire Report from the National Park Service.
• It took less than 2 hours for the controlled burn to get out of control.
• Spot fires began appearing outside the fire lines less than an hour after ignition.
• Ironically one of the goals of the burn was to: “Develop information and outreach strategies that explain the need for prescribed burning in
Yosemite National Park.”
• The fire was to remain east of Crane Creek, south and east of weed‐eater line and north of Old Coulterville Road.
• The Yosemite National Park Superintendent approved the burn plan on May 21, 2008, 3 months prior to the actual ignition date.
• California and the burn area were listed as being in a moderate-severe drought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Several key positions within the Fire Management Team in Yosemite National Park were on temporary or permanent leave or vacant.
• The initial plan was for the fire to burn south-south west across the open grassy area of Big Meadow.
• Winds were recorded burning up-slope (north-north east) less than an hour before the fire was ignited.
• The fire was started in the north east corner of the burn area and jumped behind the fire team.
• One of the goals not met by the prescribed burn: “Manage incident operations in a cost effective and efficient manner.”
If you’re interested in reading the report you can download it here or here.