February 9, 2022 - Fire crews will continue pile burning in the Merced Grove area February 9 - 10, 2022. Crews will begin jackpot burning at Crane Flat along Big Oak Flat Road beginning February 10 - 12, 2022. Jackpot burning targets high concentrations of naturally occurring downed woody debris from past bug infestations and high severity wildfire. This process is in preparation for broadcast burning a larger area at a later time. Prescribed burning in multiple phases reduces the amount of smoke produced in a given period and provides opportunities to successfully meet resource objectives. Visitors and employees should be aware that smoke may be present throughout burning operations and could linger to a much lesser degree into the following weeks 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.
Source & photo credit: Yosemite Fire and Aviation Management