Re: Enhanced Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Effect

Yosemite National Park is experiencing poor air quality due to the Creek Fire, which is an ongoing wildfire burning near Yosemite National Park. The smoke from this fire is degrading air quality throughout the park by creating unhealthy levels of particulate matter. In response, Yosemite National Park has implemented park-wide Stage Two Fire Restrictions with an additional enhancement to reduce the negative impacts and unhealthy effects of wildfire smoke.

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 1.5(a) 1.5(a)(1), 2.13(a)(1) and 2.13(c).

• Enhancement: Wood fires are prohibited park-wide. Burning wood in campgrounds, picnic areas, outdoor residential areas, and Wilderness is not permitted.
• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, designated campgrounds, designated picnic areas, paved developed areas, and designated smoking areas.
• Fireworks are always prohibited.

Permissible actions include:

• Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane are permitted, as are alcohol stoves (with and without a shutoff valve) including alcohol tablet/cube stoves.
• Charcoal fires may be used in designated open campgrounds and open picnic areas with park-installed grills in developed portions of the park, in accordance with park regulations.
• Charcoal fires and indoor wood fires may be used in residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.

There are no administrative exemptions to this order. Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.

For information on fire restrictions in Yosemite National Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/firerestrictions.htm

I remember camping in Yosemite Valley a few years ago, just a couple of days after it had re-opened following the Fergusson Fire. The valley was blanketed in smoke from that fire, but I think every campsite in the campground lit up a fire at 5 p./m.--the very first moment it was allowed.

Well, every campsite but one. grin.

Still, my nephew and his friends from Spain were suitably impressed with Yosemite, so it's all good!

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I've been there for that as well. I don't get it. You're in the valley, you smell the smoke all around...and you need to build a campfire?!