Up to 10,000 trees near giant sequoia groves have been "weakened by drought, disease, age, and/or fire" and must be removed in the wake of California's wildfires, the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks announced.
Why it matters: The damage to these trees, considered "national treasures," and work to remove them means a nearby key highway must remain closed to visitors as they have "the potential to strike people, cars, other structures, or create barriers to emergency response services," per a statement from the national parks.
The big picture: State Route 180, known as Generals Highway, has been closed since the KNP Complex Fire first threatened the Sequoia National Park last month.
- The highway connects the Giant Forest, home to the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest tree by volume, and Grant Grove — where the General Grant Tree, the second-largest tree on Earth, is located.
- Sequoia National Park Forest officials wrapped giant sequoia tree trunks in aluminum foil insulation for protection ahead of the wildfire's arrival.
Threat level: The Grant Grove has burned about 138 square miles of forest and was 60% contained on Saturday night, per the national parks statement, first issued Friday. Cooler weather has "helped slow the flames, and the area was expected to see rain starting Sunday," the Los Angeles Times notes.
- Officials said earlier this month they've yet to determine the full extent of the damage from the KNP Complex Fire, but hundreds of the iconic trees may have been killed, per the Washington Post.
For the record: The KNP Complex Fire has been burning since Sept. 9 after two lightning-ignited fires merged.
- Studies show human-caused climate change is driving an increase in the likelihood and severity of droughts and heat waves and, consequently, wildfires, per Axios' Andrew Freedman.
