Flames from the KNP Complex Fire have reached some of the giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park, fire officials reported, confirming what many nature lovers have feared.
The Four Guardsmen, a group of sequoias which flank the entrance into the Giant Forest, have been at the mercy of the wildfire since Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
As the wildfire approached the home of the ancient trees earlier this week, firefighters prepared for this exact scenario, wrapping sequoia trunks in flame-resistant foil. The material previously saved South Lake Tahoe houses threatened by the Caldor Fire, however, if the trees are completely engulfed in flames officials warned that the foil will not be enough to save them.
General Sherman — the world’s largest sequoia extending 275 feet tall with a 36 foot diameter — was safe from the impending fire yesterday. The tree has received special treatment from fire crews including a foil-wrapped trunk, clearing of nearby debris and a protective barrier carved into the earth, the newspaper said.
Firefighters will determine Saturday afternoon whether conditions are stable enough to enter and inspect the area surrounding the Four Guardsmen.
A red flag warning has been issued for 5 p.m. as high winds are expected to pick up Saturday evening and into Sunday. Due to these impending weather conditions, officials caution that KNP Complex Fire could quickly take a turn for the worse.
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