Due to high fire danger and enhanced risk to the public, employees, and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yosemite National Park is enacting park-wide fire restrictions to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires.
“We are trying to reduce the threat of escaped campfires and other unwanted human caused wildfires in Yosemite”, said Kelly Singer, Deputy Fire Management Officer. “This year it is especially important to keep our firefighters healthy and reduce exposure as we approach the potential for an above normal fire season.”
By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c):
- The building, maintaining or attending of a wood fire, charcoal fire, or twig stove is prohibited within Yosemite National Park at all elevations.
- Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel or propane are permitted as are alcohol stoves (with and without a shutoff valve) including alcohol tablet/cube stoves.
- Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, designated campgrounds, designated picnic areas, paved developed areas or designated smoking areas.
- Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in open campgrounds and open picnic areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
- Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulation.
There are no administrative exemptions to this order. Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.