Post-Fire Alder Creek Update
onFollowing the SQF Complex Fire, the fire impacts on the giant sequoia of the Alder Creek property appear to be beneficial.
Resilience of giant sequoia put to the test in the Sierra
onWe 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 …
Donors rally to jumpstart recovery of beloved Big Basin Redwoods State Park
onNews 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 at Big Basin Redwoods State Park derails nature museum project
onFire 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.
Sequoia Complex Fire nearing giant sequoia grove
onFire 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.
Out of destruction, hope
onSince 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.
Keeping an eye on fire burning near Sierra giant sequoia
onWith 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.
Interactive map allows you to track fire proximity to redwood forests
onOf 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.
Cautious optimism for coast redwoods amid fires
onCoast 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’re remaining hopeful as fires move into redwood groves
onWe have learned that fire has swept into some of California’s coast redwood parks and forests in Sonoma and Santa Cruz Counties.
Fire danger and poor air quality close redwood parks throughout region
onWildfires caused by recent lightning strikes and warm conditions in recent days have forced the closure of a number of redwood parks throughout the Bay Area region. We’re keeping a running list of those closures.
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.