As national parks across the country stay open during the government shutdown, offering only basic services, many necessary tasks continue to be delayed. For instance, a few weeks ago, people noticed new graffiti at Arches National Park ; yet, it remains unclear when it will be removed.

Now, it seems that Yosemite National Park is missing the period of the year when land is actively burned, lowering the risk of fires in the following summer season. Cassius Cash, President and CEO of the Yosemite Conservancy, declared this in the latest National Parks Traveler podcast , stressing how the park has a ‘long-standing history of fire’.

So, why exactly does the NPS burn lands in national parks, and what could happen if Yosemite delays prescribed fires this fall?

Yosemite National Park May

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