July 11, 2017 - Yosemite is in the process of updating the park’s Fire Management Plan (FMP) to incorporate changes to guidance on federal wildland fire policy.

The updated plan will allow us to make decisions based on science, weather, and local concerns rather than geographic zones.

The new amendment to the existing FMP proposes to rezone the park to provide for a Community Protection Strategy that will allow fire managers to apply the flexibility provided in the current federal guidance. 

This amendment will allow the park to better use fire to play a more beneficial role in reducing unnatural fuel buildup in areas that are at high risk for a future wildfire.

We will still use predetermined areas for prescribed fires but will now have the ability to use wildfires in areas where fires were previously suppressed.

The park is accepting public comments on the amendment through July 15, 2017, and anticipates implementing the Community Protection Strategy this fire season.

To submit official comments and read further information about this amendment: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/YOSEFMPamend
Source: NPS