California Wildfires Update: All O.A.R.S. California Whitewater Rafting Trips are Running as Scheduled
June 26, 2008.As mentioned in my previous post, O.A.R.S. is still running all of its California whitewater rafting trips on the South Fork American, Middle Fork American, Tuolumne, Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath and Cal Salmon as scheduled. (The rafting season is over for the North Fork of the Stan, Merced and North Fork American rivers.) It is still hazy in Northern California, however, air quality is improving daily. None of the areas in which O.A.R.S. operates in California are in danger.
I’ve been attempting to collect up-to-date and correct information about the fires in the Sierra Foothills. I’ve been checking a variety of agency websites, maps, news feeds, and I have been talking to local firefighters. (There is conflicting data out there.)
I spoke with some Groveland firefighters last night, and they informed me that the North Mountain Fire is burning approximately 15 miles northeast of the put-in of O.A.R.S. Tuolumne River trips. The fire is north of Hetch Hetchy in a remote area, and as of last night had burned more than 1,000 acres. They said there is no immediate danger to any structures or to the Groveland area.
According to a recent article about the wildfires in the Sonora Union Democrat, Highway 120 is open all through Yosemite National Park and over Tioga Pass.
On an entirely different note… Idaho weather has been perfect the last few days, with lots of sun but temperatures have not been too hot. We expect temps above 100 for the first time this coming weekend. River flows have been fluctuating daily in accordance with the temperature. Since last Wednesday the Snake River is up to 14,300 cfs from 12,900cfs. The Main Salmon River and Middle Fork of the Salmon River have gone down slightly. Slight fluctuations have made for some exciting water and should make for great white water trips.
A June 25, 2008, satellite image of California wildfires. Red outlines show the places where the sensor detected actively burning fires.
