[Eric Hansen]

https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Firefighters-harness-Yosemite-Washburn-Fire-17297785.php Fire is 2,300 acres, 25% containment Mariposa redwoods seem OK so far -- NPS went full bore in protectin Mariposa redwoods https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/fires/article263334033.html

[Anne Elk]

I knew it was just a matter of time before a fire season would threaten the iconic sequoias. Additionally upsetting that this fire was human-caused.

[Eric Hansen]

They seem to have finessed it (saved the Mariposa redwoods) this time. Some interesting details in this NYT piece. But the outlooks, forecasts, are not good for the fire season coming for the Sierras, and later the coast ranges, much of California. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/12/us/giant-sequoia-yosemite-washburn-fire.html

[Fedor]

[shane w]

I flew over this yesterday afternoon. Wasn't expecting to see that.

[Eric Hansen]

Fedor, Anne, yes I noticed that statement in the NYT piece. "In a 15-month period between 2020 and 2021, an estimated 13 to 19 percent of the world’s population of sequoia trees were killed or mortally wounded, according to a report by the National Park Service. The number is especially staggering, scientists say, given how few died in the preceding centuries." Pretty incredible. For some time now the wildfire folks (responders and scientists) have been saying that the fires they are seeing, and the fire behavior, are different and unprecedented. That sequoia mortality statistic seems to calibrate how hugely unprecedented the fire behavior (and its implications) just might be. Shane, thanks for the photo. On July 10 Wildfire Today mentioned pilots working the fire had this experience: "Yesterday July 9 a lead plane and a large air tanker had a close call while on a retardant dropping sortie on the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park. There was virtually no wind over the fire most of the day and the area was smoked in causing very poor visibility making it impossible for air tankers to drop on the fire. But by 6 p.m. conditions had improved and at about 6:10 p.m. a lead plane was leading Tanker 103, an MD-87, over a target when they saw a falling tree branch above the lead plane. It fell between the two aircraft, in front of the tanker. Twitter user Robert, @Rob_on_sisukas, captured an audio recording of the radio conversation. We’re not sure who the lead plane pilot was talking to, but we’ll call it “dispatcher” for now: LEAD PLANE: Hey I just want to let you know that a branch went right over the top of us, pretty good size, probably 50 feet above us coming down and fell right in between Tanker 103 and myself."

[treeswarper]

California has major problems right now due to the drought and unhealthy stocking conditions (too many trees per acre). I've seen it, but not in the Sequoia area. Four years ago you could see good sized dying trees in the forest around the Napa Valley--redwood country. That has since burned. They need water and a good thinning either by fire or by machinery. Fire is going ahead on its own and drastically thinning trees, whether people caused or lightning caused.

[cathorse]

Thanks for the info! Sunday thru Tuesday this week, we were in the Desolation Wilderness north of Echo Summit, and awoke Tuesday to the smell of smoke in the air. Definitely hazy! Hot and dry conditions abound down there. So sad to this. And so sad to drive past the debris from the Caldor Fire along Hwy 50 too!

[Eric Hansen]

Fire is described as 4,700 acres, still growing to the east. https://wildfiretoday.com/2022/07/15/the-remaining-battle-on-yosemite-national-parks-washburn-fire-is-on-the-east-side/

[Eric Hansen]

Seems to be winding down? 50% containment. Fresno newspaper article from today has maps, aerial video (with what seems to be heat sensor) https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/fires/article263578283.html