P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
www.nps.gov/yose/news

209 372-0529 phone
209 372-0371 fax

July 30, 2002
For Immediate Release

Lightning-Caused Fires Restore the Health of Yosemite's Forests

July lightning strikes have sparked a number of wildland fires currently burning at Yosemite National Park. Fire is a natural ecological process that plays an important role in shaping and restoring the park's ecosystems. The fires have not affected recreational opportunities at the park, and all trails and facilities remain open. Smoke is sometimes visible from park roads and trails, especially near White Wolf.

When lightning-ignited fires occur, managers assess them in the context of current and expected weather and moisture conditions, as well as of the availability of fire fighting resources needed to manage them. The park is not experiencing the drought conditions that are present in much of the west this year. At Yosemite, trees and other plants still contain adequate moisture, causing fires to creep slowly rather than spreading rapidly. Additionally, fire crews are available to respond in an emergency. Therefore, the decision was made not to suppress these fires at this time.

The majority of the fires are entirely surrounded by large expanses of rock and have little potential for spread. However, two fires close to White Wolf are burning in red fir and lodgepole pine leaf litter and have moderate potential for growth. The Wolf Fire, burning about 1.6 miles west of White Wolf, is the largest at about 24 acres. The Lukens Fire, burning between Tioga Road and Lukens Lake, three miles east of White Wolf, is about five acres. A fire crew is stationed at White Wolf Campground to monitor these fires.

Natural fires burning during periods of adequate moisture creep along the forest floor, consuming dead branches and logs and clearing out thick underbrush. These fires rarely spread into the large trees that make up the forest canopy. This cleaning of the forest floor by fire is a natural process that actually helps make the forest more fire resistant by reducing accumulations of fuel.

For specific information on the size and location of each fire, check the park's web page at www.nps.gov/yose and click on "Current Conditions."

-NPS-