Yosemite Eyes Prescribed Burn In Mariposa Grove

Yosemite, CA — Yosemite National Park is alerting visitors that another prescribed burn will be ignited within the next week.

Park officials are still deciding between two locations, either in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, or along the Wawona Road near the south entrance to the park. The final decision will be based on weather and air quality conditions. The Mariposa Grove project is considered the highest priority, and it would begin at the top of the grove near Wawona Point and continue south. The Mariposa Grove is currently closed due to a restoration project, so it is an ideal time to conduct the burn. Park officials report that fire produces optimal conditions for Giant Sequoia reproduction and propagation by removing accumulated layers of dead, woody debris, and it exposes nutrient rich mineral soil.

Regardless of which location is selected, the burn is tentatively scheduled to get underway on, or before, Wednesday.