Yosemite National Park Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2011

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A summary of fire ecology activities and program information for the Park/network including fire effects plot workload, staffing, management objectives and monitoring results, and planning, fire monitoring, communications, and research. Also included are staff accomplishments/areas of focus, future program direction and other optional information (e.g. data analysis graphics or presentations, annual highlights, publications, program challenges, unique solutions to problems, collaboration, photographs of monitoring/fire activities, and suggestions on FFI). The year literally began with the fire ecologist on a READ assignment on January 1 in Pascagoula, MS on the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The fire ecologist also participated in the Pacific West Region “future of fuels funding” meeting in Oakland. Gus represented Fire Ecologists generally along with Robin Wills. Hiring in Yosemite this year was the slowest it has ever been which resulted in no one being hired off of the GS 05 Certificate. Gus hired a first year college student at UC-Merced in the Yosemite Leadership Program, and the graduate student hired by Jim Lutz at University of Washington to complete the carbon pools work. Both employees were good additions to the crew this year but crew activity in the early season was not completed because of the late arrival of all seasonals. In July Gus left Yosemite for a detail with the Office of Wildland Fire Coordination in Washington D.C. Gus worked as the DOI representative on the Cohesive Strategy Subcommittee, as the Coordinator for the Northeast Regional Strategy Committee, and represented these groups for the Wildland Fire Executive Council meetings. The detail was a great learning experience and an outstanding opportunity to see how fire decisions are made at the highest levels. The park had a busy year with one prescribed fire in Hodgdon and several wildland fires managed for multiple objectives and one wildfire that threatened the Park on Highway 140. It was also a record year for visitation in the park due to the spectacular waterfalls and national publicity on the waterfalls.

Yosemite National Park Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2011

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