Spring Pile Burning in Yosemite - May 2020
Cooler and wetter weather conditions are predicted for the next week. Starting Sunday May 17, Yosemite National Park will continue pile burning throughout the park once adequate precipitation is received and as fuel and weather conditions allow. Burning piles is an efficient and effective way for reducing excessive fuel build-up on the landscape. These piles are remnants of mechanical thinning from forestry operations and large-scale landscape restoration projects. Pile burning sites include:
Yosemite Valley
Wahoga, Yellow Pines Campground area, and multiple locations on the western side in Yosemite Valley.
Wawona
Multiple locations throughout the community of Wawona
West Side of Wawona Road (Highway 41)
Piles built during the Ferguson fire of 2018 along 11 Mile road
Woodlot piles
Foresta, El Portal, Hodgdon, Yosemite Valley, and Wawona
Smoke will be present during pile burning operations. However, smoke produced during pile burning is significantly less than if an unwanted wildfire occurs. Smoke from ignited piles will remain until the piles are completely consumed.
Fire managers work closely with the local air pollution control districts to time the projects to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin pile burning operations. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit.
Please use caution while traveling in these areas and make sure to look for signs on the roadways that say, “Prescribed Fire Do Not Report” or “Smoke on Road”, this usually means crews are working close to the roads.
Additional Information
- Email Yosemite Fire Information
- Facebook: @yosemitefire
- Twitter: @yosemitefire
- Yosemite National Park Information: 209/372-0200