Tag Archives: june lake california

Local News

Pile Burning at June Lake and Mammoth Lakes

Pile Burning set near June Lake and Mammoth Lakes

submitted by Deb Schweizer
 Public Affairs Officer, Inyo National Forest
February 2, 2016

Crews will be pile burning in two locations today.  Firefighters hope to complete 17 acres of piles near the Double Eagle Resort in June Lake today.

Crews will also be burning near the Sherwin Creek Road and Sherwin Creek Campground in Mammoth Lakes in the next few days, where there are at total of 194 acres of piles.  In addition to taking advantage of the recent snow to safely complete the much needed fuel reduction, the crews are also using the favorable forecast for good smoke dispersal. Expect to see smoke near both towns and from Hwy 395.

Cover Photo, Inyo National Forest file photo.

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Local News

June Lake Accident sends one to the hospital

Truck vs. Bicyclist Collision Friday in June Lake

59 year old Bicyclist Sally Timp of Anchorage Alaska sustains major injures

A vehicle vs Bicyclist accident Friday morning in June Lake resulted in a Alaska woman being flow to Reno with major injuries.  The California Highway Patrol Accident report indicates that 68-year old James Bortolotti of Temple City California was behind the wheel of a 2000 Chevy Silverado that struck Timp.

The CHP Bridgeport area accident report:

On Friday, September 18, 2015, at approximately 10:17 A.M., California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bishop Communication Center (BICC) received a report of an injury collision involving a black Chevrolet truck and a bicyclist on SR-158, at the ski lift.

The preliminary investigation by CHP indicates Party #1 (James Bortolotti) was traveling southbound on SR-158, south of the north junction with Northshore Drive.  Party #2 (Sally Timp) was riding a bicycle traveling southbound near the right edge of the roadway of SR-158.  As Party #1 approached Party #2, he failed to notice Party #2.  Due to his unsafe speed for the lighting and traffic conditions,  Party #1 was unable to safely pass Party #2.  As a result, Party #1 struck the rear of the bicycle and Party #2.  Party #2 was ejected from the bicycle and sustained major injuries.  Party #2 was transported by ambulance to Mammoth Hospital, then airlifted to Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada.

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Local News

Forest begins Thinning Projects

Thinning Projects Planned in Mammoth Lakes, June Lakes

The Inyo National Forest announces plans to complete numerous mechanical thinning projects for community protection and forest health through the summer and fall.

These projects are designed to reduce fuels within Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Thinning reduces wildfire spread and intensity by removing surface and ladder fuels. Additionally, treatments will promote openness of crown fuels to reduce the likelihood of a sustained crown fire, thus decreasing the risk of stand-replacing wildfire. This also creates an environment where firefighters can more safely respond to fire events.

Thinning also promotes forest health by increasing resiliency to insects and disease by reducing competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight.  This is especially important during California’s extended drought where numerous trees are dying from insect infestations or water stress.  Where applicable, restoration work will be completed to enhance aspen habitat.

The Forest Service will construct shaded fuel breaks (thinning and piling fuels to be safely burned in the winter months) on approximately 270 acres within the Mammoth Lakes area. Locations include Sherwin Lakes Trailhead, Old Shady Rest Campground, Mammoth Knolls, the Minarets Road/ Scenic Loop Road, and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA), north of chair 7. The MMSA  project will be conducted after Labor Day to reduce impacts to recreational users. There will be delays or full closures on uptown/down town bike trails, shotgun bike trail, and the warming wall sport climbing area.

Approximately 240 acres of shaded fuel breaks are planned in the June Lake area near Silver Lake Tract, Clark Tract, Oh Ridge, and Gull Lake.

Six additional units totaling 700 acres are planned in other areas throughout the forest.  The forest will create public firewood for 2016 in units not adjacent to town limits or recreational resident tracts.

For specific questions about the projects, please call Andrew Weinhart at 760-924-5550.

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Local News

Man arrested after June Lake Incident

Mission Viejo Man arrested Sunday

Mono County Sheriffs department statement:

On the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2015, at approximately 8:35am, the Mono County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a call regarding a possible assault with a firearm that occurred the previous night in the June Lake area.

On the evening of Saturday, July 4, 2015, at approximately 10:00pm, Mr. Julian Wendell, age 30, of Mission Viejo, California, and a male and a female, both of June Lake, were involved in an altercation at their campsite in the June Lake area.  Mr. Wendell drove the male and the female to the campsite after spending some time in the Town of June Lake. During the drive to the campsite, Mr. Wendell was driving in an aggressive manner and was confronted by both the male and the female. When they arrived at the campsite, Mr. Wendell became aggressive and pushed the female as they both exited the vehicle. The male met Mr. Wendell at the front of the vehicle where the two began to argue and got into a physical altercation. Mr. Wendell then went into his trailer and brought out a handgun. He hit the male in the head with the butt of the handgun. Mr. Wendell then fired several rounds into the air. The male and the female were able to leave the campsite where the male was taken to Mammoth Hospital for treatment of his injuries and released. The Mono County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate the incident.

On the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2015, Mono County Sheriff’s deputies, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, located Mr. Wendell and he was arrested without incident. Three firearms were recovered from Mr. Wendell’s trailer.

Julian Wendell, age 30, of Mission Viejo, California, was arrested for suspicion of assault with a firearm on a person, willful infliction of corporal injury, discharging a firearm in grossly negligent manner, and drawing, exhibiting, or using firearm. He is currently in custody at the Mono County Jail. All charges for Mr. Wendell are pending with the Mono County District Attorney’s Office.

Written and prepared by: Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer

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