Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lake sediments record historic fire events: Validation using HPLC-fluorescence detection

► Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a signature for fire in paleorecord. ► HPLC-fluorescence detection is superior to GC-MS for detecting PAHs. ► PAHs record fires within 0.5 km of the lake in Yosemite National Park, CA. ► Low molecular weight PAHs (e.g. fluoranthene, pyrene) are the best recorders of fire. ► PAHs appear to resolve some issues inherent to other fire proxies.