Fall Prescribed Burn Update
October 5, 2008

Upcoming Prescribed Burns

Yosemite National Park will continue prescribed burns through the fall, weather and conditions permitting.  Please refer back to the website for notifications as they are available.

Mariposa Grove Burn
The National Park Service has recently completed a prescribed fire in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

The Grove is located in the Wawona area of the Park and near the southern entrance gate, in Mariposa County. Research indicates fires burned in Sequoia groves approximately every 10 years. The Giant Sequoias are adaptive to fire, with thick fire – resistant bark. Fire produces the optimum conditions for Giant Sequoia reproduction and propagation. Fires not only removes the accumulated layers of dead woody debris exposing nutrient rich mineral soil, but dries the cones allowing the seeds to shed. Fire also creates holes in the forest canopy while eliminating shade tolerant competition. Each of these units has been burned at least once, and are comprised primarily of white fir and other mixed conifers. Fire managers first began prescribed fire in the Grove in the early 1970’s.

Some trails remain closed due to fire operations. Visitors are strongly urged to stay out of closures and to heed all posted trail signs. While these burned areas may appear cool, hot spots can still exist.