13 Incredible Photos of Yosemite’s El Capitan ‘Firefall’

Each February, Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall lights up as the setting sun transforms the waterfall into a glowing, orange and red cascade of molten lava. The rare phenomenon, known as “firefall”, lasts just a couple weeks each year, for a few minutes at dusk. It occurs only when there’s enough snow or water to fuel the waterfall, and the sun hits the granite face of El Capitan at just the right angle.

Photographers and nature enthusiasts wait anxiously to catch a glimpse of this magnificent optical illusion. Since the firefall began about ten days ago, people have been posting dozens of incredible images to Instagram.

Here are a handful of our favorites.

Fire falls at Yosemite National Park Photography by @2ndfloorguy #TheTravelPro

A post shared by Mikki Tenazas (@thetravelpro) on Feb 23, 2017 at 9:57pm PST

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This is Yosemite Firefall. Since @carmelca posted this, it is on my bucket list for the perfect way to spend New Year's Eve . Some seem to say it is no longer done, but #yosemitefirefall seems to indicate it is . @carmelca what a childhood memory.

A post shared by Leslie Razook (@newcanaanhomes) on Dec 28, 2016 at 8:06am PST

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Amazing Firefall – Yosemite National Park Photo by: @arthurgalvao Visit his feed for more amazing shots. . Tag your favorite National Park photos with #mappinners to be featured! . #yosemitenationalpark #yosemite #yosemitefalls #yosemitevalley #firefall #firefalls #sunset #california #visitcalifornia #californialove #waterfalls

A post shared by MapPinners (@mappinners) on Feb 24, 2017 at 12:08pm PST

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#Yosemite #firefall #horsetailfalls #yosemitefirefall only happens in Feb and sometimes in Oct with weather permitting you have a 5 minute window to see it. #nofilter

A post shared by Kyle Frydach (@kyleshaqtusfry) on Feb 18, 2017 at 2:11pm PST

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During late February, if the conditions are just right, Yosemite's famous Horsetail Fall is ignited in a bright orange and red glow. Known as the #YosemiteFirefall, the phenomenon makes the waterfall look as though it’s spewing lava down the side of rock formation #ElCapitan. What makes it even more special is that this mesmerizing effect lasts for only 10 glorious minutes.

A post shared by EcoChic Lifestyles (@wearecochic) on Feb 20, 2017 at 11:26pm PST

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It is going to happen again, I hope. Going up to see if I can catch the firefall for the third time. This picture was taken last year, the beauty in real life can't be captured in a picture. But I will try again. #yosemite #yosemitefirefall #firefall #waterfall #sunset #canon

A post shared by Mary (@sageweb) on Feb 8, 2017 at 2:16pm PST

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There is a natural "firefall" that occurs each year in February. It can only be visible when the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at the perfect angle, illuminating the upper reaches of the waterfall. #yosemitefirefall

A post shared by @thereisaplace_ on Feb 23, 2017 at 5:53pm PST

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Still can't believe this magical phenomenon exists and we were lucky enough to catch it. || Yosemite, California ||

A post shared by Sofi Pechner Photography (@sofiflies) on Feb 24, 2017 at 3:02pm PST

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An impromptu trip to #Yosemite turned into a lovely surprise! Got to witness this #Amazing #FireFall! #horsetailfall @yosemitenps #yosemitefirefall #nps #nationalparks #shotwithiphone7 #iphone7 #iphone #nofilterneeded #winterinyosemite

A post shared by KHQY design + photography (@khqydesignphotography) on Feb 11, 2017 at 6:47pm PST

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Природный огнепад в Йосемити, когда водопад светится в лучах заходящего солнца. Вчера посчастливилось увидеть самой. Ссылка в профиле. #йосемити #огнепад #конскийхвост #firefall #horsetailfalls #yosemitefirefall

A post shared by Polina Harbert (@polina.vamonos) on Feb 26, 2016 at 2:13pm PST

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The #yosemitefirefall happens around the second week of February when the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall just right #bucketlist : @jeffreyplui

A post shared by @burly.co on Feb 22, 2016 at 12:04pm PST

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Firefall 2017- it's that time of year again for the famous #firefall #yosemitenps. This trip almost didn't happen due to the crazy road conditions at Yosemite. There has been so much water that a lot of the roads were closed due to mudslides. Somehow we made it here at the very last minute. I still think the mist I saw last year was better but it wasn't bad this time either. Please scroll down on my feed to see previous years firefall if you like. Had an awesome time with some fun and talented photographers @naminou @jc.liang @sinanuong. Was suppose to meet up with a couple more but got lost in the rush. For those that plan on going to see this, be careful since there has been so much water that some of the roads are falling apart. Had an awesome weekend!!! – A special thank you to my wife for letting me go on these crazy fun trips before I get too old to travel. – – #usaprimeshot #bpmag #pixworld_ #igworldglobal #artsyheaven #heatercentral #ig_color #worldcaptures #ouramazingearth #earthofficial #beautifuldestinations #special_shots #Earthpix #wildernessculture #travelstoke #foxnews #abc7now #ktvu #gottolove_this #yesabc #lppostcards #yosemitenation #globeshotz #Nationalparkgeek @nationalparkgeek #worldprime #yescnn @awesome.earth.pix #awesomeearthpix #yesweather

A post shared by Ray (@rayophotography13) on Feb 12, 2017 at 10:07pm PST

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Happening right now – 'The Horsetail Fall phenomenon appears when the angle of the setting sun sets the waterfall ablaze with reds and oranges, like a fire was falling down the cliffs on the shoulder of El Capitan’ The stunning visual display happens every February when the light hits a waterfall tumbling down El Capitan. #blackleafadventures • • Original by @shank0205 #yosemite #firefall #yosemitefirefall #exploretocreate #stayandwander #instagoodmyphoto #horsetailfalls #nomadlife #wanderlust2016 #elcapitan #vscomountains #justgoshoot #epic_captures #adventurethatislife #chasingwaterfalls #waterfalls #visualwanderlust #optoutside #climbing #undefinedadventure #thegreatoutdoors #getoutside #natureshots #thebest_capture #modernvoyage #blackleafcrew #ourplanetdaily #blackleafcommunity

A post shared by Blackleaf Community (@blackleafdotcom) on Feb 19, 2016 at 1:13pm PST

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We spent the day in #Yosemite today and we were lucky to have the right conditions to witness Horsetail falls light up this evening. This only happens during February and only if there is a cloudless sky and enough snow so that the falls are running. Pretty cool! #horsetailfalls #lovethelifeyoulive #lovethelittlethings #nature #landscape #nikon #nikonlove #nikonlife #nikond5 #yosemitenationalpark #wanderlust #roadtrip #vaycay #usa #california #nkonusa #waterfall #yosemitefirefalls #firefalls

A post shared by Sofie Louca (@amorphia) on Feb 14, 2017 at 11:39pm PST