Yosemite News Release
May 21, 2009
For Immediate Release
Yosemite National Park Announces Beginning of Fire Season
Yosemite National Park declares the beginning of fire season for the park on Friday, May 22nd. Starting at this time, backyard pile burning will no longer be allowed in any park community, including El Portal, Wawona, and Foresta. Residents and visitors can take steps to prepare for this fire season. Residents should complete defensible space around their homes. This helps protect homes from fire and creates a safer environment for firefighters. Defensible space should be completed by June 10th.
Visitors to Yosemite National Park can help prevent unwanted fire. Each year campfires, cigarettes, and human carelessness cause unwanted fires in Yosemite. Build small campfires in established campfire rings, never leave a campfire unattended, and extinguish campfires completely. Yosemite Fire staff is working to help make Yosemite a safe place to live, visit, and work during what may be a difficult fire season. Residents and visitors can also take steps to protect the park, their homes, and have an enjoyable visit to the park.