KEY POINTS

  • Mariposa Grove is home to more than 500 mature giant sequoias
  • An estimated 3,000-year-old sequoia is at the center of the race to protect the grove
  • Authorities are still investigating what started the Washburn Fire

The Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park grew 2,720 acres Monday as hundreds of firefighters raced to protect the historic giant sequoias at the park’s Mariposa Grove. Firefighters are facing accessibility issues as the fire is located in “difficult terrain.”

In its latest update regarding the Washburn Fire, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) said the wildfire that started last Thursday has grown to 2,720 acres from 2,430 acres early Monday. While the containment reached 25% Monday, it is expected that “warming and drying will continue to provide active fire behavior” within the next 24 hours.

Besides trying to keep the fire from growing further, hundreds of firefighters are focused on protecting Mariposa Grove, which is home to the Giant Sequoias, “the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias.”

Mariposa Grove is also home to the Grizzly Giant, a 209-foot tree estimated by experts to be about 3,000 years old, the Los Angeles Times reported. Speaking in a video update in front of the Grizzly Giant, forest ecologist Garrett Dickman said that ground workers are “trying to give it some preventative first aid, really, and make sure that when the fire – if the fire – comes over here, that this tree is protected.”

Dickman also told NBC Nightly News that sequoias are usually “very resilient,” but “the fire’s so different right now.” He added that Yosemite and California have not experienced mega-fires like the recent ones so “at this point, every tree counts.” According to Dickman, the earth has lost “20% of all giant sequoias” over the last two years.

Evacuations carried out over the weekend in the Wawona community and the Wawona Hotel and campground have displaced about 1,600 people, Nancy Phillipe, a spokesperson for Park Service was cited as saying by Reuters. No injuries in relation to the fire have been reported so far, but the cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.

According to the National Park Service, visitors at Yosemite should “expect smoky conditions and poor air quality” throughout the entire park due to the Washburn Fire. Park authorities have also directed entrants to use Highways 140 or 120 to enter the park. While other areas at Yosemite are still open for visitors, Wawona Road and Mariposa Grove will remain closed until further notice.

A large plume from the Washburn Fire rises over Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, where rare giant sequoia trees are under threat
A large plume from the Washburn Fire rises over Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, where rare giant sequoia trees are under threat AFP / Nic Coury
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