Tag Archives: Lee Vining

Mono County to Host Meetings About Coronavirus

The Mono County Health Department will host community meetings about the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in several communities over the next few weeks. The purpose of these meetings is to provide community members with locally relevant information about the situation and to promote discussion. We will answer questions and hope to hear and understand community concerns.

We have no evidence at this time that COVID-19 is present in the Eastern Sierra and feel that the risk of public gatherings like this is low and outweighed by the potential benefits of keeping people informed. We are of course watching the situation closely and if we determine that there could be some risk from these community gatherings we may opt for other modes of communication.
Spanish language interpretation will be available at the Bridgeport and Mammoth meetings.

Wednesday March 11, 2020 @ Mammoth High School Cafeteria 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday March 18, 2020 @ Walker Senior Center 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Wednesday March 18, 2020 @ Memorial Hall in Bridgeport 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday March 19, 2020 @ the Benton Community Center 5:30pm – 6:30pm

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Mono organizará reuniones comunitarias sobre la epidemia de coronavirus (COVID-19) en varias comunidades durante las próximas semanas. El propósito de estas reuniones es proporcionar a los miembros de la comunidad información relevante a nivel local sobre la situación y promover el debate. Responderemos preguntas y esperamos escuchar y comprender las preocupaciones de la comunidad.
No tenemos evidencia en este momento de que COVID-19 esté presente en el Eastern Sierra y creemos que el riesgo de reuniones públicas como esta es bajo y los beneficios potenciales de mantener informadas a las personas son mayores del riesgo. Por supuesto, estamos observando la situación de cerca y si determinamos que podría haber algún riesgo en estas reuniones comunitarias, podemos optar por otros modos de comunicación.
Habrá interpretación en español en las reuniones de Bridgeport y Mammoth.

LEE VINING ROCKFALL SAFETY PROJECT

Caltrans announces the completion of project near Mono Lake.

By Seth Conners

According to Florene Trainor at Caltrans, the Lee Vining Rockfall Safety Project which began two years ago was completed last week at a cost of $5.8 million dollars.

The project will improve safety for the traveling public by minimizing rocks falling from steep adjacent slopes onto US Highway 395 in Mono County, North of Lee Vining near Mono Lake.  The project also includes a plant establishment program on the six slopes involved to reduce erosion, establish healthy soil, and promote successful revegetation.

Stage 1 construction was completed in 2015. Stage 2 construction encompassed the slopes with the installation of anchored wire mesh.

Also completed within the same area is the $2.2 million dollar emergency construction project that was put in place July 12, 2016 due to the Marina Fire that which started on June 24th and burned 654 acres.  The emergency project repaired guardrail and installed a temporary rockfall fence.

The contractor for both projects was Papich Construction Co. Inc. from Pismo Beach California.

MARINA FIRE NEARING CONTAINMENT

High winds and lightning pose potential problem for firefighters.

June 28
by Seth Conners

Although they are not out of the woods yet the areas surrounding Lee Vining are beginning to see the light at the end of the Marina Fire tunnel.  Acreage burned has remained at 654 acres since late sunday night and the fire is now 75 percent contained.  However, thunderstorms in the area could produce dry lightning and outflow winds up to 50 miles per hour.  This has firefighters worried because of the increased potential for new fires to flare up and spread rapidly.

As the containment line continues to increase unnecessary firefighting resources will be released accordingly.  This demobilization process will allow equipment and personnel to return to their home units or reassigned to other fires.

The investigation to determine the exact cause and origin of the fire is ongoing.

Marina Fire, Lee Vining, U.S. Forest Service, Fire information, Fire Update, Highway 395

 

Walker Fire

Walker Fire Update

A Monday Morning update is due soon, here is the Sunday evening information on the Walker fire burning south of Lee Vining.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

From the US Forest services Sunday PM update:

The Walker Fire is estimated to be 2,200 acres and is 10% contained. The fire is northeast of Walker Lake and west of Lee Vining Canyon.

Update: Additional fire crews arrived Sunday. Fire crews made good progress on line construction Sunday on the west, south, and eastern flanks, supported by air operations. However, the northern flank showed active fire behavior Sunday afternoon and evening and led to further evacuations in Lee Vining Canyon (upper canyon campgrounds). Crews will continue to strengthen firelines tonight, focusing on the northern flank. Active fire behavior is expected Sunday night with low night-time relative humidity recovery.

Nate Rasner’s Type 3 Sierra Front team arrived Sunday and was briefed on the Walker Fire. They assume command of the fire Monday morning at 6:00 am. The team will have a fire information line, 760-647-6472, to handle public and media inquiries.

Closures and Evacuations:

·         Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.

·         A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.

·         Campgrounds in the entire Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Junction, Ellery Lake, Tioga Lake Campground, Sawmill, and Saddlebag Campgrounds.

·         The Tioga Pass and Saddlebag Resorts are under an evacuation advisory.

·         The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.

·         The Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations and it is suggested that visitors should avoid this area.

The fire is burning is mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining area and along Highway 395.

Approximately 350 firefighters are on scene as well as numerous aircraft, dozers, and engines. Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, neighboring forests BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

walker fire, lee vining, june lake, drought 2015

Tioga Pass Opening

Tioga Road opening Today

Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park to Open on Monday, May 4
Road Construction Occurring on Portions of Tioga Road

The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will open for the season on Monday, May 4, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. for all vehicular traffic.  Due to a light snowpack this past winter, the Tioga Road was cleared of snow early into the season.  The Tioga Road, bounded on both sides by State Highway 120, is the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada.
Visitors are urged to drive with caution while on the Tioga Road, as there will be rehabilitation work occurring on portions of the roadway.  Visitors will experience portions of the road that are unpaved and should be aware that delays are in place.  For more information about the construction work and traffic delays on the Tioga Road, please visit:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm.

upper
photo by Gary Young.

Snow and icy conditions may still exist on hiking trails at the higher elevations.  Visitors are urged to be prepared for snowy conditions and possible treacherous stream crossings while hiking the backcountry in the early season.  Vault toilets are available in several locations along the road.  Limited visitor services will be available over the next several weeks.  Additionally, late spring storms may change the status of the road and cause temporary closures.  For updated, 24-hour road conditions, please call 209-372-0200.
All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed.  All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, are also closed.  There are no anticipated opening dates for any of these facilities at this time.

tioga pass, eastern sierra news, mono county news, lee vining, yosemite news

Traffic Delays On 395 at Mono Lake

Big Rig Accident Clean up causing delays

Traffic Delays were experienced Wednesday on highway 395 just north of Lee Vining at Mono Lake.   A accident Wednesday morning just after 5 am resulted in a big rig trailer overturning.  There were no injuries reported.  CHP, and cal-trans were on scene working to clean up an overturned big rig trailer.   The accident scene is 1 mile north of the community of Lee Vining near picnic grounds road.  That portion of highway 395 is only 2 lanes.  The trailer was blocking the northbound lane and a portion of the the southbound lane. Traffic is being escorted around the trailer, however full closures and delays should be anticipated. There were no injuries in the collision.

chp, lee vining news, mono lake, eastern sierra news

Traffic Accident Near Lee Vining

CHP arrests driver involved in Friday Collision.

On January 2, 2015, at approximately 11:23 P.M., a California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bridgeport Area officer responded to a reported traffic collision which occurred on Picnic Grounds Road east of US-395 near Lee Vining.  Upon arrival, the CHP officer discovered a black 2003, Chevrolet, 2500HD on its side approximately 20 feet off the roadway. The roof of the Chevrolet was collapsed indicating the vehicle had overturned at a high rate of speed.  A child passenger was trapped inside the vehicle.  Lee Vining Fire Department personnel cut structural members of the vehicle to facilitate extraction of the child, who was not injured.
The officer contacted the driver of the Chevrolet and identified him as Mr. Kyle C. Pinizzotto, age 34, of Lee Vining, California.  While conducting the traffic collision investigation, the CHP officer noted Mr. Pinizzotto displayed signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment.  Mr. Pinizzotto was arrested on misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) charges and felony child endangerment charges.  Mr. Pinizzotto was released from custody to medical personnel and transported via air ambulance to Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada for evaluation and medical treatment.  The Chevrolet was towed for safe keeping.

california highway patrol, eastern sierra news, mono county news, lee vining

Community Flu Clinics 2014

MONO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRESENTS COMMUNITY FLU CLINICS 2014

Date Location Day/Time

09.29.14 Lee Vining Community Center Monday 4:00-6:30 PM
10.07.14 Walker Senior Center Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM
10.08.14 Bridgeport Health Department Wednesday 1:00-3:30 PM
10.09.14 June Lake Community Center Thursday 5:00-6:30 PM
10.15.14 Paradise Fire Station Wednesday 4:30-5:45 PM
10.15.14 Swall Fire Station Wednesday 6:15-7:15 PM
10.16.14 Chalfant Community Center Thursday 5:00 – 6:00 PM
10.16.14 Benton Community Center Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM
10.20.14 Mammoth Lakes Elem. School Monday 4:00 – 7:00 PM
10.23.14 Crowley Lake Community Center Thursday 4:00 – 7:00 PM

Flu vaccine is now recommended for everyone over the age of six months.

FluMist® nasal spray is available for healthy, non-pregnant 2-49 year olds.
The pneumococcal vaccine is also available. Free with Medicare Part B card present; otherwise $78.00.
Pneumococcal not available at Lee Vining Community Flu Clinic.

Cost for Flu vaccine:

$10 for adults (19 yrs and older)
$5 for children (6mo -18 yrs)

Medicare Part B free with card present.

Additional Clinics:

10.27.14 Mammoth Health Department Monday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, by appt
10.30.14 Mammoth Health Department Thursday 8:30-11:00 AM, by appt
11.04.14 Mammoth Health Department Tuesday 4:30-6:30 PM, drop-in
11.12.14 Mammoth Health Department Wednesday 4:30-6:30, drop-in

Children may also receive flu vaccine at school clinics to be held this Fall.

 

MONO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRESENTS COMMUNITY FLU CLINICS 2014

https://www.kibskbov.com/communityfluclinics/

Mono County Health Department / Community Flu Clinics / 2014 / Vaccinations / Mammoth Lakes / Lee Vining / Bridgeport / Walker / Prevention / Crowley / June Lake / Fall / Vaccines / Eastern Sierra