She added: "A robust fire history of prescribed fire in that area is reason for optimism." Sequoia National Park spokesperson Rebecca Paterson said such actions and this week's emergency measures may help the "Giant Forest emerge from this unscathed."
Tens of millions of trees killed by drought and bark beetles, and unprecedented dry vegetation are fueling devastating wildfires across California David McNew/Getty Images "Sequoias are normally most vulnerable to crown fires which ignite the trees at the top and burn down."Ī cabin that firefighters had covered in structure wrap stands unburned after a firestorm swept through upper Slick Rock Canyon during the French Fire on Augnear Wofford Heights, California.
"While the bark can be up to 12 inches thick and full of fire-resistant tannins, after decades of wildfires burning holes in the base of the tree they can become unstable and topple. "By clearing debris away from the base and wrapping it with structure wrap, they try to spare the tree's base from the fires.
Forest Service and National Parks to protect historical structures of all sorts, from rocks containing Indian glyphs, all kinds of building structures such as pony express waypoints, and even giant Sequoias. He told Newsweek: "Aluminized structure wrap has been used for years by archeologists working in the U.S. The aluminum wrapping, which is capable of withstanding intensive heat for short amounts of time, has previously been effective in retarding fire from sensitive structures.įire blanket manufacturer Firezat claims materials such as theirs reflect up to 95 percent of radiant heat and prevents embers from sticking to protruding features.ĭan Hirning from the company believes this fire blanket technique has a chance of succeeding in protecting the tree in the short term.
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