The rare Yosemite ‘Firefall’ phenomenon is something that draws thousands of people in Yosemite National Park in hopes to catch this breathtaking waterfall light up. The month of February is a magical time of year to be in Yosemite National Park. For just a short few days, a natural phenomenon called a firefall is visible at Horsetail Fall on the eastern edge of El Capitan. During this time, Mother Nature plays a visual trick on us and makes the famous waterfall look as though it’s on fire. From some angles, it appears that lava is spewing over the cliff.
So, how does a firefall happen? It’s not always a given—the environmental conditions have to be just right. For one, there must be ample snow available for the waterfall to flow. A clear sky is also a necessity; even the slightest haze will mar the amazing effect. When the precipitation and skies are working together, all that’s needed is a precise light from the setting sun to send Horsetail Fall ablaze.
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