Visitors and amateur photographers witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon Wednesday in Yosemite National Park, California. They were able to admire a spectacular "waterfall of fire", the result of the setting sun reflecting on a waterfall. Every year, for a short period of time, the last rays of day set the Horsetail Falls ablaze, giving it the appearance of a lava flow hurtling down the mythical cliff of El Capitan.


Our view of Yosemite Firefall 2023 on 2/12. Every year with enough water and sunlight in mid-February, the sun catches Horsetail Falls and makes it look like falling lava. #firefall2023 pic.twitter.com/9HQwJAfAbc

— Ralph B. McLaughlin (@HousingRalph) February 13, 2023

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This phenomenon attracts tourists from all over the United States. It only lasts a few minutes and only occurs if all the conditions are met. "When the sun sets at the exact angle, it reflects off El Capitan," Scott Gediman, public relations officer at Yosemite National Park, told AFP. "It's a combination of the sun reflecting off the water, clear skies, flowing water. If all [these conditions] are met, it's magical."

The Yosemite Rush

California, like much of the western United States, has been suffering for years from a drought phenomenon that has strongly impacted river water levels. However, heavy rains at the beginning of the year, which caused deadly flooding in parts of the state, have raised river levels.


Yosemite, Horsetail falls in California, a rare phenomenon is created here due to the conditions, it makes the area look like its on fire pic.twitter.com/V3waUWqi6V

— Domenico (@AvatarDomy) February 13, 2023

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On Wednesday, California's signature blue skies made an appearance, meaning visitors to Yosemite — who were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time — had the chance to witness the firefall. "The photos I've seen are just beautiful," said amateur photographer Terry Cantrell from Fresno, south of Yosemite Park. "Everyone wants to have theirs, so that's what I'm trying to do."

For his colleague Whitney Clark of San Francisco, the long wait in freezing temperatures was worth it. "Depending on how the sun sets on the mountain or rock, it creates a very nice fire effect and you can get a nice picture out of it," she explains.

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