'Parks are wild by nature': Yosemite visitors undeterred by raging forest fires

[marmar]

‘Parks are wild by nature’: Yosemite visitors undeterred by raging forest fires
Picnics, treks, camping and swimming continue despite hazardous air quality and ash in national park

Gabrielle Canon in Mariposa
Tue 26 Jul 2022 08.16 EDT


(Guardian UK) Yosemite national park’s dramatic vistas were shrouded by a thick grey haze on Monday afternoon, as smoke from the fiercely burning Oak fire hung over its granite peaks. Along the road winding toward the valley, skeletal trees told the story of the Washburn fire that tore through just weeks earlier.

The blazes – the two largest to ignite in California so far this year – have besieged Yosemite during one of its busiest months, causing entrance closures, cancellations, and cloaking the landmark in hazardous air.

But many visitors, some of whom have travelled to see the sights from across the US and around the world, were determined not to let the conditions slow them down. On Monday afternoon, as the air quality index (AQI) pushed past 250, a level categorised as very unhealthy, cars zigzagged through the park carrying bikes and inner tubes, ready for the day.

Under a fiery-orange glow, visitors could be seen picnicking, trekking, and floating in the river despite the strong scorched scent that filled the air as ash danced in the breeze. Tents still lined campgrounds throughout the valley, bikes crisscrossed through the paths alongside emergency vehicles, and people piled on to the shuttle.

Mark and Victoria, aged 12 and seven, who had travelled all the way from Finland, managed to get one swim in the river before calling it a day because of the declining air quality. “We have still had a great day today – better than expected,” their father, Rami Madanad, said as he watched them from the shore alongside his wife, Marina. They had only planned for one day in the park and were trying to make the most of it, but everyone’s eyes had begun to burn. .................(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/26/yosemite-visitors-undeterred-california-forest-fires

[onecaliberal]

1. Can't be that many people inside, 2 of the routes into the park are closed because of said fires.