The Yosemite Firefall was a tradition for 88 years in Yosemite National Park; it was discontinued in 1968 as part of de-emphasizing artificial attractions at the park. During the summer a large bonfire would be pushed over the edge of a cliff, appearing as a waterfall of fire. According to Fred McCauley, his father James McCauley started the tradition "in 1872 when he pushed his campfire over the Glacier Point cliff."

The Firefall can be seen in the 1954 movie The Caine Mutiny when one of the naval officers goes to Yosemite for shore leave.