Yosemite National Park National Geographic Covers Mariposa Grove Prescribed Fire
National Fire Plan – Rehabilitation *
Yosemite National Park received a unique opportunity to share
important messages about the prescribed fire program in the
park.
National Geographic was in the park during fall 2006 gathering
footage of Yosemite National Park’s various park management
programs as part of their America’s National Parks series. The
program, Secret Yosemite aired in spring 2007.
One of the segments of Secret Yosemite covered the Mariposa
Grove of Giant Sequoia Prescribed Fire. This was an excellent
opportunity to show viewers of the role of fire in the giant
sequoia ecosystem. Viewers learned that giant sequoias can benefit from periodic fires:
Giant sequoias use the heat from the fire to open the cones and scatter the seeds
Fire clears the ground of accumulated vegetation so that the seeds have a better chance to
germinate
Fire clears the forest of competing young trees, particularly white fir, that create unnatural
competition for water and nutrients
Viewers also learned:
How fire managers determine the prescription parameters for a prescribed fire project, such as
acceptable range of temperature, relative humidity, and wind
That multiple steps are taken to protect firefighters, visitors, and residents
That Yosemite National Park is managing the park with the knowledge that fire has been and
will continue to be one of the natural forces that shape the park
The success of the program can be measured by the incredible number of people that have contacted
employees of Yosemite Fire to say that they saw the program.
Additionally, many have indicated that
they learned something about the fire program that they did not know. The airing of Secret Yosemite
provided fire managers an avenue to reach a large audience and explain a little about the fire
management program in the park.
Contact:Deb Schweizer, Fire Education Specialist Phone:(209) 372-0480
