Ignited by lightning in late August, the Garnet fire in Fresno County is spreading to the southeast section of the McKinley Grove after ravaging the Sierra National Forest. As of 10/9, the Garnet fire was only 15% contained.

McKinley Grove, a renowned 40-hectare forest in California, is home to hundreds of ancient giant sequoias, some of which are 3,000 years old. Giant sequoias are the largest single-stem trees on Earth, growing over 90 meters tall, and are among the longest-living organisms.

Firefighters protect an ancient giant sequoia in California, 8/9. Photo: AP

Firefighters protect an ancient giant sequoia in California, 8/9. Photo: AP

Fresno County officials reported that some trees have caught fire. Firefighters have installed sprinkler systems to moisten the ground, wrapped tree trunks in foil, and cleared flammable materials from around the base of the trees.

While embers remain in some canopies, the US Forest Service has not recorded any fatalities among the trees. A team of smokejumpers arrived in the area on 10/9 to climb the trees and extinguish any lingering embers.

Officials noted that the fire could actually be beneficial, helping to open sequoia cones and release seeds.

Fire is a natural part of forest development and evolution, but the scale of recent large fires has overwhelmed even these massive trees. The US giant sequoia population has declined by 13% to 19% due to wildfires since 2020.

Duc Trung (AP, Washington Post)