Here’s the truth behind rare ‘firefall’ viral on social media

Photos of the ‘firefall’ from Yosemite National Park in California are attracting social media users heavily. Some think it’s photoshopped, some think it’s real. Well, it is absolutely real. The one of its kind ‘firefall’ looks like a cascade of molten lava, however, it’s nothing but a glowing waterfall.

In recent times, the amazing spectacle has dramatically risen to popularity for its annual ‘firefall’ phenomenon and typically draws thousands of photographers from around the world. 

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According to CNN, the National Park Service had set up travel restrictions this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It also introduced an online reservation system to maintain the crowd in the ecologically sensitive area.

The dazzling effect is a high-interest topic on social media. It is so fascinating to people that even the US Department of the Interior has posted about it.

Take a look:

Here’s another picture shared by Yosemite National Park’s official account:

If the conditions are right, the optical illusion occurs for just a few days each February and lasts for a matter of minutes in the evening. The setting sun illuminates the water flowing down the rocky face, making it look like fierce orange lava, says the CNN report.

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The phenomenon happens at Horsetail Fall, which flows in winter or spring. The 2,000-foot waterfall plunges down the granite face of the park’s famed rock formation, El Capitan.

This ‘firefall’ season was supposed to end on Wednesday but because of the increasing interest, authorities have extended the schedule and it will now end on February 28 with the last viewing hour at 6 pm.