The data behind what we know about giant sequoia and fire
onData show that the relationship between giant sequoia and fire is changing
Data show that the relationship between giant sequoia and fire is changing
It’s been about three months since fire swept through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and we thought we’d check in on this remarkable coast redwood forest. As we’ve discussed, most of the redwoods will be OK. In the video, you can see the famed Mother of the Forest Tree, charred but still living and surviving. In all, fascinating to see a resilient forest evolve.
SQF Complex Fire in the giant sequoia
redwoods are an important part of climate change policy
Save the Redwoods League and Mendocino Land Trust today announced the reopening of the Peter Douglas Trail through the Shady Dell candelabra redwood trees in Mendocino County. This reopening follows more than a year of restoration and repair efforts to Usal Road and the Peter Douglas Trail that were damaged in the 2019 Usal Fire.
The League’s giant sequoia forest fellow shares her story about how she came to work in giant sequoia conservation, and what needs to be done to protect the forest and restore its fire resilience.
Following the SQF Complex Fire, the fire impacts on the giant sequoia of the Alder Creek property appear to be beneficial.
We remain hopeful as SQF Complex Fire moves through Alder Creek “And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm …
News that wildfire had destroyed most of the buildings and facilities at Big Basin Redwoods State Park created an outpouring of generosity over the past two weeks from donors looking to speed up the iconic park’s comeback.
Fire destroyed the Big Basin Redwoods State Park Nature Museum. Work on the project was well underway in the original building when the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire came through the headquarters on Aug. 18, destroying everything.
Fire nearing giant sequoia: We’re continuing to closely monitor the Sequoia Complex Fire in the Sequoia National Forest. As of right now, it appears the fire has started to move west, and is now about a mile away from the Freeman Creek giant sequoia grove.
Since the League joined with Sempervirens Fund last week to create the Big Basin Recovery Fund, so many generous people have stepped forward to help. Pachama offered a $5,000 match to the Big Basin Recovery Fund to inspire others to take an active role in rebuilding this wondrous park and the forest around it. Together, we’ve raised more than $100,000 to fund the park’s immediate needs, as well as help lay the groundwork for its reconstruction.
With attention on the coast redwoods, we’re also keeping our eye on fire near giant sequoia. Unlike their coast redwood cousins, giant sequoia lack the ability to sprout after fire, so a severe wildfire can outright kill these ancient trees.
Of more than a million acres burned, wildfires have burned approximately 72,000 acres of coast redwood forest during the August Lightning Siege of 2020. Roughly 9,000 acres of this has been in old-growth redwoods.
Coast redwoods are naturally adapted to resist fire damage. It’s going to be a while before it’s safe for us to visit these forests and assess the fire effects, and it will be longer still before we fully understand the short- and long-term impacts on the trees. In the meantime, we will maintain that cautious optimism, knowing that the ancient giants have survived for centuries and lived through many wildfires.
We have learned that fire has swept into some of California’s coast redwood parks and forests in Sonoma and Santa Cruz Counties.
It 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.
Giant 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.
Healing historically logged and damaged redwood forests is a multifaceted process, involving deep research, meticulous planning, fundraising, and a great deal of hard, dirty work.
If 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.