Fire Season Concludes In Yosemite

Yosemite, Ca — Yosemite National Park recently declared an end to the 2008 Wildland Fire Season, but officials say that they will continue to monitor weather patterns and implement prescribed burns as conditions permit.

Due to the large wildland fires in the Sierra this summer, including the Oliver and Telegraph Fire, no major fire use projects were authorized in Yosemite. All lightening strikes were monitored to ensure limited spread, or they were actively extinguished. Over 30 lightning caused fires occurred in Yosemite, the largest grew to 12 acres.

Personnel responded to and suppressed two significant structure fires, including one which destroyed the historic El Portal Market.

Fall prescribed burning was also conducted in several areas of the park, including two locations in Yosemite Valley.

Written by BJ Hansen