In order to protect the famous sequoia trees in the park, fire crews are taking extreme precautions this week.
A firefighter protects a sequoia tree in the middle of a fire in a national park.
The base of the world's largest sequoia was sprinklered in order to keep the surrounding ground damp, increase the area's humidity and protect the tree.
Burn lines and other intentional fire measures allow the fire to move in a controlled manner that causes less damage than if the fire were to spread naturally.
The historic 19th century Galen Clark cabin located near the grove has been wrapped in a protective foil as a protection measure, but a Monday report from the park stated that foil isn't being used to protect any of the giant sequoias.
The fire had spread to 2,340 acres and was 25% contained, with photos showing smoke and flames within feet of the giant sequoia trees.
The rest of the national park remained open on Monday despite residents of nearby communities being ordered to evacuate last week.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it was reported on Thursday near the sequoia grove. Natural barriers that firefighters can use to stop and slow fires are not present in the area where the fire started. The hundreds of sequoia trees are at risk because of the fire. On the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, giant sequoias are the biggest trees on earth and native to California. Thousands of sequoias have been destroyed by fires in the National Park Service.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
