Firefall

/ˈfaɪərˌfɔːl/ noun

Definition

A spectacular natural phenomenon where burning embers from a bonfire appear to fall like a waterfall of fire, or the famous artificial display at Yosemite National Park.

Etymology

Compound of 'fire' and 'fall' (Old English 'feallan'). The term became famous for Yosemite's Firefall, a 1872-1968 tradition where burning logs were pushed off Glacier Point to create an illusion of cascading flames.

Kelly Says

The Yosemite Firefall was created by accident—workers on top of a cliff dumped burning logs into the valley below, and tourists loved the view so much they asked for it nightly, creating a 96-year tradition that only stopped because the National Park Service deemed it unsafe.

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