Firefall: Yosemite's Fiery Phenomenon (PHOTOS)

Photos

For a few weeks every February, Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park is home to this stunning phenomenon.

ByNicole Bonaccorso•February 15, 2017

Yosemite's Horsetail Falls glows orange due to an optical illusion.
(newmans_only_photography / instagram)

For a few weeks every February, Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park is home to this stunning phenomenon.

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The February setting sun tuns Yosemite's Horsetail Falls bright orange.
(jacobmessing / instagram)

February's sunset hits the falls just right, creating a reflection that makes the waterfall look like glowing lava. Tourists come from all over to view the spectacle.

Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park glows orange in the setting sun.
(houman.abouei / instagram)

Yosemite's Horsetail Falls glows orange due to an optical illusion.
(vilanle / instagram)

(MORE: The Photographer Who Saved Yosemite)

Every year in February, Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park demonstrates this phenomenon, which looks like lava or fire.
(Saengeeta Dey Photography)

The natural phenomenon is often called a "firefall."

Every year, February's setting sun is the perfect angle to cause this magnificent optical illusion, turning the water a glowing orange.
(jp8725 / instagram)

"The waterfall is bigger than it has been in a long time due to all the rain and snow we have received," National Park Service spokesman Scott Gediman told CNN.

Gediman also said that some photographers stake out a spot as early as 9 a.m. to get a good view of the firefall at sunset.

Every year in February, Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park demonstrates this phenomenon, which looks like lava or fire.
(Saengeeta Dey Photography)

The setting sun reflects off of the waterfall just right for a few weeks in February, giving the illusion that lava is flowing off of Yosemite.
(detective_miller_thyme / instagram)

Temperatures have to be warm enough to melt some of the snow to get the Horsetail Fall flowing. To further complicate matters, the angle of the sun and the amount of sunlight must shine perfectly on the waterfall to create this optical illusion.

The firefall is most commonly seen in mid- to late February, so time is running out.