WawonaNews.com - November 2024
Yosemite Declares End of Fire Season
Fire danger has been consistently "low" over the past several days and there is more precipitation in the forecast. Seasonal firefighters have started to depart and Helicopter-551 has been released for the season. With these changes, Yosemite Fire managers have declared the Fire Season over as of November 15, 2024.
The end of fire season has made residential pile burning permissible. Residential pile burning is important for reducing fire hazards and can only be conducted on permissible burn days. Property owners and residents must follow all burning guidelines. For a step-by-step guide to safe pile burning, please reference the information below.
Thank you for your continued support of our fire program and for doing your part to reduce hazard fuels around your building and properties.
Fire danger has been consistently "low" over the past several days and there is more precipitation in the forecast. Seasonal firefighters have started to depart and Helicopter-551 has been released for the season. With these changes, Yosemite Fire managers have declared the Fire Season over as of November 15, 2024.
The end of fire season has made residential pile burning permissible. Residential pile burning is important for reducing fire hazards and can only be conducted on permissible burn days. Property owners and residents must follow all burning guidelines. For a step-by-step guide to safe pile burning, please reference the information below.
Thank you for your continued support of our fire program and for doing your part to reduce hazard fuels around your building and properties.
YNP Announces Reservations for February Natural Firefall Weekends
Yosemite National Park will require day-use entrance reservations for the last three weekends of February 2025 to manage the Horsetail Fall event.
During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that can glow orange when it's backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid– to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources. To manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23, 2025, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 17) won't need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.
Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on November 18, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 21 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 23 will be available.
If you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
Yosemite National Park will require day-use entrance reservations for the last three weekends of February 2025 to manage the Horsetail Fall event.
During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that can glow orange when it's backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid– to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources. To manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23, 2025, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 17) won't need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.
Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on November 18, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 21 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 23 will be available.
If you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.