Rare Yosemite ‘Firefall’ Phenomenon Ignites a Waterfall in Bright Orange

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @rayophotography13

Late February in Yosemite National Park is a magical time of year. If the conditions are just right, its famous Horsetail Fall is ignited in a bright orange and red glow. Known as the Yosemite Firefall, the phenomenon makes the waterfall look as though it’s spewing lava down the side of rock formation El Capitan. What makes it even more special is that this mesmerizing effect lasts for only 10 glorious minutes.

According to a Yosemite Firefall website, several things have to happen—independently of each other— in order to see the light. First, Horsetail Fall must be flowing with water. “If there’s not enough snowpack in February,” the site explains, “there will not be enough snowmelt to feed the waterfall.” In addition, temperatures must be warm enough to melt the snow in the first place. Second, the western sky must be clear during sunset; otherwise, the sun rays will be blocked. “Winter weather can be highly variable in Yosemite, however, and days that start off cloudy can clear up by sunset.”

With these specific factors as requirements, it’s amazing that the Firefall happens at all. But, when it does, it’s akin to a supernatural experience. It's no wonder that both professional and amateur photographers flock to Horsetail Fall to capture the amazing sight.

When the conditions are just right, the Yosmite Firefall ignites the Horsetail Falls in a spectacle of brilliant, fiery light.

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @broloelcordero

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @ecastellon408

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @i_markian

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @acaurora

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @robkugler

Yosemite Firefall Ignites Horsetail Fall with a Brilliant Illusion

Photo credit: @vagabondvivant

Here's the Firefall in action.

A post shared by Paul (@paulrujiphoto) on

Yosemite National Park: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Mashable]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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