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National Fire Plan Success Story

Prescribed Fire in Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Yosemite National Park, California
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
2009

Fire ecologists monitor burn progress.
Fire ecologists monitor burn progress from the fireline.

Mariposa Grove prescribed fire.
Mariposa Grove prescribed fire shines in the evening.

Several prescribed burns in the Mariposa Grove late in fall, 2008 helped fire managers in Yosemite National Park move toward what has been a goal for almost 40 years: reintroducing fire to the entire grove of Giant Sequoias and laying a strong foundation for restoration of the delicate Grove ecology to pre-settlement (circa 1850) conditions.

The four recently burned units included a total of almost 100 acres. Management objectives included restoring historic tree densities and species diversity, along with reducing hazard fuels and shade-tolerant trees while protecting the crucial natural and cultural values of the area. Some of these management objectives were met, but there is still much work to do in restoring the pre-settlement tree species composition. “We are all very pleased that fire has been restored to nearly the entire grove, although now we have to prioritize maintenance. Restoring fire is a small victory, achieving our ecological objectives through frequent burning in all of the units is what will ultimately restore the grove,” said Yosemite Fire Ecologist Gus Smith.

This highly used visitor area also provided unique opportunities for public education. Firefighters and fire educators were happy to welcome kids and parents from the Wawona School, who came to visit the burn and learn about fire ecology.

Contact: Adrienne Freeman, Outreach and Education, Protection Division, (209) 742-3391.