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| South View - Toward Horizon Ridge | |
  ooking south in the direction of Horizon Ridge in the near distance you might see evidence of a wildland fire. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common event in the Sierra during the Spring and Autumn. On Memorial Day in 1994 lightning ignited a wildland fire which burned 3,560 acres over a three month period during the summer. The Horizon Fire, as it was named, burned down Horizon Ridge into the Illilouette Valley which drains into Yosemite Valley via a glacially carved U-shaped hanging valley.
 The significance of the drainage is reflected in the path smoke from the fire took on many evenings when cool temperatures and down slope winds pushed the smoke into Yosemite Valley, filling the Valley floor. The smoke caused significantly reduced visibility during the evening and early morning hours, until the sun heated the valley floor enough to carry the smoke up and out of the Valley. In addition to reduced visibility, heavy smoke can be hazardous to your health, especially if you suffer from asthma. Although the smoke disrupted some activities in the Valley, fire has an important place in nature. Fire is a natural part of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem and is necessary for the continued healthy existence of its forests.
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