Sequoias' survival hinges on fire management; researchers urge expanding controlled burns to protect forests

Nearly 17% of mature giant sequoias were killed in California wildfires between 2020 and 2021, roughly one in five trees.

A NASA-funded study in Nature Communications found that controlled burns dramatically improve sequoias' survival during extreme wildfires.

Mature trees in forests treated with prescribed fires were four times less likely to die compared to untreated areas.

Decades of fire suppression have led to fuel accumulation, which combined with climate change creates more intense wildfires that overwhelm sequoias' natural defenses.

Expanding prescribed burning programs is critical for preserving giant sequoias, as fire is essential for their reproduction and ecosystem health.