The Southern Area Blue Incident Management Team provided this photo on Thursday, September 17, 2021. It shows the General Sherman Tree, a giant sequoia, with its base covered in a fire-resistant blanket. This protects it from the intense heat that could result from approaching wildfires at Sequoia National Forest, California.
California firefighters have wrapped fireproof aluminum blankets around several large trees in Sequoia National Park to protect them against the rapidly increasing KNP Complex Fire.
After the fire started to burn through steep canyons, the park was shut down earlier in this week. This season has seen several large fires in the western United States, including the Dixie Fire. It is California's second largest fire. Scientists and firefighters believe that climate change is helping to extend the fire season and making the fires burn faster than ever before.
The National Park Service stated in a statement that "Crews are preparing Giant Forest before it reaches that area." They removed fuel and applied structure wrap to some of the famous monarch sequoias that make up the most iconic area of Sequoia National Park. "The fire continues growing in all directions."
Crews used fireproof wrap to cover the Ash Mountain Entrance sign, which welcomes visitors into Sequoia National. It is made of blocks of sequoiawood and was also covered with fireproof wrap.
