November 16, 2023 - Yosemite National Park fire crew officials announce Yosemite Fire crews are planning to conduct pile burning operations in three areas around the park this week. The first is along Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley, the second area is in the upper Mariposa Grove near the Washburn Fire footprint, and the third is near Sentinel Dome. A map is available upon request.

The upcoming pile burning will dispose of cut materials generated by restorative thinning and defensible space work. These projects provide zones of reduced fuels, which promote healthier conditions for Black oak and other species and provide protection for structures and popular visitation areas. The zones of reduced fuels also make for safer and more effective firefighting in the event of future unplanned wildfires and prepare the areas for possible broadcast prescribed burns in the future.  

Pile burns are conducted under supervision of experienced fire managers who carefully evaluate and monitor conditions and work closely with the local air pollution control districts.

The smoke map can be found online at https://fire.airnow.gov/. and air quality and smoke information in Yosemite can be found online at: Current Air Quality and Smoke Monitoring - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)


Firefighters in the El Capitan Picnic Area igniting multiple burn piles. Photo Credit: NPS file photo
Source: NPS