Wildfires Threaten Largest Tree in the World

By Elijah Mt. Castle

Multiple wildfires in Sequoia National Park have burned a total of 43,375 acres. The park is home to the world’s largest tree by volume, the General Sherman Tree. Sequoia trees are the largest species of trees by volume and can live to be over 2,000 years old. To protect the Tree and other large ancient trees, firefighters have wrapped the base of the trunks with fireproof blankets. Strict fire management practices have thinned smaller trees and brush to keep the fire low to the ground and not kill the large trees. Sprinkler systems have been set up to protect the trees and structures inside of the park. A preliminary assessment of the sequoia trees may take days due to the difficult terrain. As of now the fire has not damaged the General Sherman Tree. Pictured are the VNF detections for September 15th-19th 2021. Along with the SNPP VIIRS day/night band radiances for September 19th.

September 22, 2021