SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks feature the largest sequoia groves in the range, where visitors can admire the most majestic and towering trees. Because of their southern locations, the sequoia habitats here are situated at higher elevations. Unlike the lush undergrowth of northern groves, the bases of these sequoias are notably drier and primarily populated by fire-prone juvenile fir trees. The devastating fires of 2021 underscore the vulnerability of these conditions.
The scene shown here is located within the Redwood Creek area and features the largest stand of sequoias by area. This immense grove was also the epicenter of the most destruction caused by the 2021 fire. Three years separate these two photos. Recently, fires have climbed along the trunks beyond the naturally occurring 20 feet or less, reaching the towering crowns and causing certain death to the 2,000-year-old trees. Please note the young fir trees in the earlier photo.
These dehydrated trees served as a fire ladder and created fuel loads that caused the fire to spread higher and burn hotter.