Each February, Yosemite National Park witnesses a stunning visual event known as the 'firefall,' where Horsetail Fall glows like flames at sunset. Due to high visitor interest, the park has implemented reservation requirements and designated viewing areas since 2021 to manage overcrowding and ensure safety. Originally, the term 'firefall' referred to a practice dating back to the late 19th century, when campfires were pushed over cliffs to entertain guests, a tradition stopped by park officials in 1968 due to environmental concerns.
The National Park Service ordered an end to the practice in 1968 after the sheer number of visitors attempting to view the spectacle led to meadows being trampled, increased car traffic and the persistent threat of fire in such a wooded environment.
Tourists refer to the natural phenomenon as the 'firefall,' although park officials reserve that term for the days when people used to push bonfires off Glacier Point.
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