Update: Yosemite Park - Mariposa Grove Prescribed Fire

The National Park Service is conducting a prescribed fire in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Update: It is anticipated that an additional day of ignition will be necessary through Friday, October 3, 2008. The fire complexity of Unit 13 did slow down the progress of burning this unit yesterday. It will be completed today. Fire managers will then begin Unit 10 either late today or early tomorrow (October 3, 2008).
Changing weather is predicted for the Sierra Nevada beginning Friday into Saturday. A rather strong cold front could bring rain and snow storms above 8,000 feet.
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Weather and air quality: Weather is favorable and continues to allow for completion of this prescribed fire. Visitors will experience diminished air quality due to smoke accumulations. Yosemite Park fire managers will monitor smoke on a consistent basis. People with respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.
Location: The Grove is located in the Wawona area of the Park and near the southern entrance gate, in Mariposa County.
Planned actions: This burn consists of 4 units depicted - Approximately 90 acres are planned to be burned. Fire Information Officers and Interpretive Rangers will be present
daily to answer visitor questions.
Fuels: Each of these units has been burned at least once, and are comprised primarily of White
Fir and other mixed conifers. Fire Managers first began prescribed fire in the Groves in the early 1970’s.
Closures: A number of trail closures are in affect and are flagged, and visitors are urged to use caution in the areas affected.
Daily tram tours and access to the Grizzly Giant will continue. The museum is open at the top of the Grove.
Why Prescribed fire? Prescribed fire is designed to thin forests and reduce unnatural fuel loads in areas that are in close proximity to visitor use areas as well as public and private structures. Fire has a natural role in maintaining healthy ecosystems in Yosemite. Decades of fire suppression have altered the park’s natural fire regime. The forests have become dense continuous stands of shrubs and trees increasing the risk of uncontrollable Wildland fires.
For further information:
• Yosemite’s Fire Information Office: (209) 372-0480
• Yosemite’s Prescribed Fire Office: (209) 375-9574 or 9576
• Yosemite Fire Management Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/2008fire.htm