Yosemite, CA — Yosemite National Park has put in place its Stage 1 fire restrictions this week.

As of Wednesday, no campfires can be ignited below 6000 elevation. Park officials point to the high fire danger combined with continued hot and dry weather patterns for the move.

The release states that due to current and predicted fire conditions and fire behavior the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park has implemented the ban until further notice is given to rescind it.

Park officials provide these guidelines for the Stage 1 restrictions: ·

No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or cooking fire (including charcoal fires) within Yosemite Wilderness below 6,000 feet in elevation. “Sierra” (twig) stoves are not permitted. 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.

No smoking below 6,000 feet except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed or in designated smoking area.

Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in designated campgrounds, picnic areas, and residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.

Designated Campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pine, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hodgon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows.

Designated Picnic Areas: Lembert Dome, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite Creek, Wawona, Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, Cascade, El Capitan, Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach, Swing Bridge, Church Bowl, and Lower Yosemite Falls. There are no administrative exemptions to this order.