Update: Yosemite National Park Announces Mariposa Grove Prescribed Burn Postponed Until Fall of 2023
June 17, 2023 - Yosemite National Park fire crew officials announce plans to begin ignitions on a 120-acre prescribed burn in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 
in Yosemite National Park on Tuesday, June 20th. Two days of live firing operations followed by multiple days of patrol and mop-up for this prescribed burn are planned.
Prescribed burns like this one are performed frequently in the grove to promote sequoia regeneration and reduce heavy accumulations of vegetation. This reduction provides defensible space and significantly lessens the risk and impact of unplanned ignitions in and around the grove during the hot and dry summer season.
The Mariposa Grove’s shuttle service will be suspended, and the Mariposa Grove Road closed to foot traffic during some of the active firing operations due to safety concerns. During this time, the Washburn Trail will remain open to provide visitors hiking access to the grove. Visitors hiking the Washburn Trail may see active fire, smoke, firefighters, and firefighting equipment along the main road into the grove. The road will reopen when it is safe to do so.
Smoke will be visible in some parts of the Mariposa Grove during and after burning operations. Air quality information can be found online at https://fire.airnow.gov.
Source: NPS
