Further Burning In Mariposa Grove

Yosemite, CA — Smoke will be in the air over Yosemite National Park for the next couple of weeks as crews continue a prescribe burn in the historic Mariposa Grove.

As reported here, earlier this month 31 acres in the lower grove were set ablaze. On Wednesday, October 12 the target will be 62 acres in the upper grove. The fire will last for up to 14 days with smoke visible in the park and the Wawona area.  A smoke monitor will keep tabs on the air quality in the area.

Park fire officials indicate that due to decades of putting out any fire that started, many areas have become overgrown, unhealthy, and increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. Fire managers scheduled the burn during the Mariposa Grove’s major restoration project, to take advantage of the closure and minimize impacts to the public. However, park employees, nearby communities, and visitors can expect to see plenty of fire personnel in the burn area and smoke in the skies.