From California to Australia, we feel the pain of catastrophic wildfires
onIt is frightening to consider that Australia’s summer is just beginning, and that there is little hope for rain in the coming months across much of the continent.
Surprising Number of Giant Sequoia Killed in 2017 Pier Fire Prompting Study
onGiant sequoia are remarkably fire resistant, so it was unusual to find at least 50 monarch trees (sequoia greater than three feet in diameter) that were killed in the Black Mountain Grove.
Year’s Work Sets Forests on Path to Healing and Fire Resilience
onHealing historically logged and damaged redwood forests is a multifaceted process, involving deep research, meticulous planning, fundraising, and a great deal of hard, dirty work.
Good News/Bad News Following Fire at Shady Dell
onIf you’ve been following our social media over the last week or so, you’ve heard about the Usal Fire, which started July 27 and burned about 180 acres. About 150 acres of the fire took place on our Shady Dell property. The fire is now almost completely contained.
A Look Inside a Prescribed Fire
onSave the Redwoods just led a team of researchers and land stewards from all over California to learn about using prescribed fire (controlled burning) on private lands. Take a peek behind the scenes to see how we use fire as a tool to reduce hazardous buildups of combustible vegetation and improve the health of our forests across League properties and the redwood range.
New Grants Support Wildfire, Carbon Projects
onTwo new awards from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) are supporting League work to increase the carbon sequestration potential of redwood and giant sequoia ecosystems, while protecting them and surrounding communities from the threat of severe wildfires.
Grants Fund Research on Wildfire, Wildlife and a Rare Plant in Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia
onNearly $150,000 in research grants from Save the Redwoods League have been awarded as part of the 2018 grant cycle. Funding these projects is a significant component of fulfilling the League’s mission, and each of these projects will contribute to scientific knowledge of coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. This research can help us answer big questions that will protect the health of people, wildlife, and the forests.
Our Hearts Are with Those Affected by Wildfires
onOur hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires here in California. We watched with shock, horror, and sadness as these fires uprooted families, burned homes, and took lives.
Status of Our Forests During Wildfires, Urgency of Restoration
onAs major wildfires burn throughout California, our thoughts are with the affected communities and dedicated firefighters. The area burned by California wildfires has grown in recent years, and in many cases, the fires have been burning hotter than ever. Kristen Shive, the League’s new Senior Scientist, explains how our forests are faring, and how the League’s restoration and forest management efforts can prevent negative consequences of severe wildfires.
Prescribed Fire and Coast Redwood Prairies
onDuring a brief burn window in October, crews from California State Parks and the National Park Service diligently worked to restore the natural process of fire to various ecosystems in over 2,800 acres of Redwood National and State Parks.
Modern Fire Management and Ancient Land Stewardship Traditions
onAfter witnessing the many wildfires that occurred over the past summer, it’s hard not to think of them as extremely destructive. However, fires are misunderstood; they play an integral role in the unique ecosystems that California has to offer.
Soberanes Fire Burns in the Redwood Region
onAt the time of writing, the Soberanes Fire has burned over 60,000 acres in Monterey County and is about 45% contained. The fire area covers much of Garrapata State Park, a scenic and rugged redwoods park at the southern end of the coast redwood range. We don’t yet know whether, or to what extent, the park’s redwood groves are suffering damage; and while the primary concern is for the well-being of nearby human communities, it’s interesting to consider the implications of fires like this in the redwood forest.
Re-Sprouting After Fire
onLast weekend, while I was hiking in the forests of Northern California with strong winds and thunder and lightning storms, I was reminded that we are entering fire season. While the thought of forest fires often stir fear in us …
Fierce Fires Pose Threats to Forests, Water
onIt’s fire season again. Last week, the local news reported on a 2,500-acre fire in Napa County, just east of the redwood range and Save the Redwoods League’s property near Bothe-Napa State Park. As I’ve mentioned before in previous blogs, …
Burning Cape Vizcaino
onThe view from the picnic table was grand to be sure, the blue infinities of sea and sky meeting where the distant fog gathered offshore (and coastal fog, when you think about it, really is the perfect blend of the …
Burning as a Restoration Tool
onLast week, the sky around the Bald Hills area of Redwood National Park was hazy beyond the normal shroud of fog. Smoke filled the air. The forest was burning. Water trucks stood at the ready, fire crews and park staff …
One Way to Manage and Protect a Forest: Burn It
onLately we have been thinking a lot about fire. It is fire season in California and sadly huge fires in the west are making headlines with their destructive activity. So, we’ve been discussing ways to decrease these devastating forest fires. …
Fire Season
onAlong with spring, summer, autumn and winter, California has a fifth season – fire season. After a couple of dry winters, the current fire season in California is predicted to be one of the most intense on record. Habitats from …
A Rare Plant Inhabits the Forest – Or Does It?
onIt was a beautiful day for a hike along Peters Creek. The ancient forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains was in full bloom; chattering woodpeckers, the tumbling creek, giant redwood and Douglas fir trees all begged for acknowledgement and appreciation. …
Setting Fire to the Forest
onWe’ll do all the law’s allowin’/Tomorrow I’ll be right back plowin’/ settin’ the woods on fire —Hank Williams In a recent post, I discussed the role of natural disturbance in creating the forests we see today. This week, I’d like …