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August 28, 2009

Yosemite Fire: Prescribed Burn Gone Bad

 
......and the idea was poorly thought out from the start. Middle of Summer, heat wave forecast. What could go wrong?

It is called the Big Meadow Fire burning in the Foresta area. Wildland Fire guys are updating details. National Parks Traveler has some information as well.

Planning prescribed fires in Yosemite in the Summer is a dumb idea. Smoke hinders valley views and causes delays on the few roadways in the park.

It's also irresponsible to play with fire in the middle of the tourist season.

So far 2,000 acres have burned, roads have closed, cabins are threatened, businesses are affected and most importantly firefighters and air tanker pilots are put at great risk chasing this mistake.


I'm all for controlled burning but there is a season for this, not the middle of the Summer, near the entrance of a National Park.

Labels: , ,


Posted by: retired cap mike: 10:26 AM


Comments:
As a 25 year resident of Mariposa County, I (and, actually, most others in the area) stand whole-heartedly behind this sentiment!!
# posted by Blogger Kari : August 28, 2009 7:32 PM
 
I am passing this comment on to the board. It came to me from a friend that wishes to remain anonymous. I took off the anonymous comment feature because of too much spam.

Here is the comment:

The knuckle-head liberal park service employees who plan these "control burns" haven't seen fire intensity that would cause them to pause before starting a burn like this. They mistakenly think that they can walk a fire down form the ridge in a controlled fashion during any time of the year. Basically, they are inexperienced in true fire behavior and we are reminded about this year after year in Yosemite. They do ok in Oct-April, when the park is still moist, but after that it is a repeat of escaped burns, year after year at a cost to the taxpayers. They are park employees playing with fire little to no "real" experience outside of the park. I've worked with them and can tell you honestly that they just don't have a clue.
# posted by Blogger Mike : August 29, 2009 8:50 AM
 
Mike,

No blog entries about the Morris, Station, Cottonwood, Camp Pendleton, or Palos Verdes fires?
# posted by Blogger Jodyisms : August 29, 2009 9:39 AM
 
Hi Jody, saving my energy for the Santa Ana's coming shortly.
# posted by Blogger Mike : August 29, 2009 10:14 AM
 
It does seem awfully late in the year for a controlled burn. Here in southern Colorado, April is the best time as well. I was puzzled when I heard about how it started.
# posted by Blogger Chas S. Clifton : August 29, 2009 8:10 PM
 
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