The UC Merced High School District, Environmental Sciences Academy is assisting Yosemite’s Resource Management and Sciences Branch and Yosemite fire crews in thinning and removing small diameter ponderosa pines and cedars near the Ahwahnee Hotel today, June 10. This is in preparation for a late summer or early fall prescribed fire in the Ahwahnee Meadow. The purpose of the burn will be to restore meadow ecosystems and provide Wildland Urban Interface protection for the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, park housing and other structures. The 50 high school volunteers will work with Yosemite staff members to cut, thin and remove small diameter trees and other dead vegetation in preparation for the prescribed fire project. In addition to restoring the Ahwahnee Meadow, this work will reduce the potential for future wildfires to adversely impact the Hotel. The thinning will also restore historic vistas toward the meadow from the Hotel. This volunteer/burn preparation work will occur over several days during the summer and includes the use of chainsaws.