Controlled burns boost survival of giant sequoias in California

A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis shows that planned controlled burns can substantially protect giant sequoias from wildfires. Data from the 2020 Castle Fire and the 2021 KNP Complex Fire in the Sierra Nevada mountains indicate that sequoias subjected to controlled burns had nearly four times the chance of surviving compared with untreated trees, saving roughly 1,900 trees during those events. The researchers estimate that broader implementation of such burns could protect an additional 4,000 sequoias. "Controlled burning effectively reduces mortality of giant sequoias, even in extreme fires," said lead author Dr. Dan Dixon. Giant sequoias, which can live up to 3,000 years, naturally depend on low‑intensity fires, but increasingly intense wildfires threaten their survival.

The findings suggest that expanding controlled‑burn programs could become a key tool for forest managers aiming to preserve these iconic trees amid a changing climate and more severe fire seasons.