NASA Study Highlights Role of Controlled Burns in Protecting Giant Sequoias
A NASA-funded study has revealed that giant sequoias, the iconic trees found only on the western slopes of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, are nearly four times more likely to survive extreme wildfires in forests managed with prescribed burns. These controlled fires reduce underbrush, dead wood, and other dry fuels, which are key contributors to high-intensity wildfires. The study analyzed data from 26,403 giant sequoias across 19 groves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, focusing on the devastating 2020 and 2021 fire seasons when 6.8 million acres burned across California. During this period, 19% of the mature giant sequoia population was lost. However, prescribed burns were found to have saved approximately 1,800 trees. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications on July 11, 2026, underscore the importance of forest management practices in conserving these ancient trees, which serve as vital carbon sinks and habitats.