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Yosemite National Park
Wildland Fire
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Thunderstorms are common during summer and fall in the Sierra Nevada. Each year, lightning strikes result in wildland fires that help shape the Wilderness around the country. Each year, several of these lightning ignited fires are managed for the benefit of natural and cultural resources. Visitors to Yosemite may see smoke from these fires from various park viewpoints.
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Yosemite may manage natural lightning-strike fires in the wildland fire use zone if conditions permit. All fires in the suppression zone are suppressed because of their proximity to structures. |
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Wildland Fire Use Area
(83% of total park)
This region in Yosemite is dominated by Wilderness. Natural fuel loads exist and past fire suppression efforts have had little impact in the high elevations of this zone. Lightning fires may be permitted to burn in this region, as long as they do not pose risk to people or structures.
Lightning fires are allowed to burn in these particular zones, under specific conditions, and with close monitoring by park fire staff. Factors such as fire behavior, fuel loads, weather conditions, air quality, and potential threats to people and property are
used to determine the ability to manage these fires.
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Did You Know?
Natural fires in Yosemite are often no more than a single burning snag (standing dead tree) or a slow moving, low intensity fire that cleans underbrush from the forest floor. These fires prevent unwanted fires by removing accumulating forest debris that can fuel a larger fire in hot, dry conditions.
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Last Updated: January 07, 2009 at 14:37 EST |