Past Fire Activity

 
 

Since 1970, the National Park Service has restored fire to much of Yosemite, though the present program has not been able to meet the needs of the whole park. Prior to fire suppression, it is estimated that an average of 16,000 of Yosemite’s 747,000 acres may have burned under natural conditions in the park each year.

In Yosemite, fire records date back to 1930; therefore, Yosemite fire managers have extensive records on fire and suppression activities. Tree ring studies provide fire frequency dating back hundreds and thousands of years. This historical information has been of great importance in creating the goals and objectives for Yosemite's Fire Management Program and current Fire Management Plan.

Learn about Yosemite's use of prescribed fire to re-introduce fire back into the landscape.

Fire History Map (1970-2019)

 
Map showing areas with fire over history between 1970 through 2019.
 

Significant Fires from Recent History

El Portal Fire (2014)

The El Portal Fire started on July 26, 2014, in the community of Old El Portal. Approximately 4,689 acres were burned in the El Portal Administrative Site, Yosemite National Park, and Stanislaus National Forest.

A Burned Area Emergency Response Plan (BAER) was developed to address post-fire emergency stabilization issues resulting from the El Portal Fire. Additionally, the park engaged two independent engineering firms to conduct sediment/debris studies.

The Rim Fire (2013)

The Rim Fire began August 17, 2013, on the Stanislaus National Forest in the Central Sierra of California and burned over 255,000 acres. Approximately 77,254 acres were in Yosemite National Park.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Plan was developed to address post-fire emergency stabilization issues resulting from the Rim Fire.

 
 

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    Last updated: September 3, 2024

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