October 19, 2021 - On Thursday, October 21-Saturday, October 23, weather and conditions permitting, fire crews will begin prescribed burning units 11 & 16 in Yosemite Valley. Unit 11 is located south of Southside Drive near the El Capitan Crossover and Unit 16 is located between Southside Drive and the Four Mile trailhead. Ignitions will occur over both days. There will be possible trail closures in Yosemite Valley, including the Valley Loop Trail from the Four Mile trailhead to the El Captain crossover along Southside Drive. One lane traffic control will also be in place along Southside Drive in the area of the burn.

 

Prescribed burn units have been carefully designed to meet multiple objectives. The objectives of this prescribed burn are to restore and maintain plant communities shaped by Native Americans, restore fire and a more natural ecosystem structure to communities, maintain meadows and healthy stands of conifers, reduce hazardous fuels, and provide protection to infrastructure. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Yosemite fire and resources staff will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions.

 

Visitors and employees should be aware that smoke may be present starting Friday and could linger to a much lesser degree into next week as large logs are consumed. Fire managers work closely with Park staff and the local air pollution control districts to time the prescribed burns to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin any prescribed burning operation. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.