Efforts Underway to Protect California's Giant Sequoias from Wildfires

Partnership aims to reduce fire risk and restore ancient groves after devastating losses in recent years

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:36pm

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An abstract, highly structured painting in earthy tones of green, brown, and ochre, depicting the complex interplay of natural forces and ecological systems that threaten the survival of giant sequoia trees in California. The composition resembles a massive, wordless scientific diagram, using sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals to convey the fragile balance of the sequoia ecosystem.As California's giant sequoias face escalating threats from climate change and catastrophic wildfires, a coalition of experts works to restore the natural balance of these ancient forests.Porterville Today

After wildfires killed nearly 20% of the world's giant sequoia trees in 2020 and 2021, a coalition of agencies and environmental groups has launched an ambitious effort to protect the remaining ancient groves in California. The partnership has thinned overgrown vegetation, conducted controlled burns, and planted hundreds of thousands of sequoia seedlings to make the forests more resilient to future blazes.

Why it matters

Giant sequoias are one of the most iconic and ecologically important species in California, with some trees living for over 3,000 years. The devastating wildfires that swept through their habitats in recent years have raised urgent concerns about the long-term survival of these ancient giants, prompting a coordinated response to safeguard the remaining groves.

The details

The partnership, called the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, has worked to reduce fire danger on over 23,000 acres of land where the 94 remaining groves of giant sequoias are located. This has involved thinning out smaller trees and brush that can fuel intense wildfires, as well as conducting controlled burns to mimic the natural fire cycle that the sequoias evolved with. The group has also planted over 680,000 sequoia seedlings in areas that were severely burned. While the work is ongoing, early results suggest it has helped protect some groves from the worst impacts of recent fires.

  • In 2020 and 2021, large wildfires killed nearly 20% of the world's giant sequoias.
  • The partnership's efforts began in 2022 and have so far treated 44 of the 94 giant sequoia groves in California.
  • The partnership plans to continue its work over the next 5-10 years to treat all 94 groves.

The players

Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition

A partnership of 8 primary member organizations, including state and federal agencies as well as environmental groups, that is working to protect and restore California's giant sequoia groves.

Kevin Conway

State forests program manager for Cal Fire, the state's primary firefighting agency, who has been involved in the partnership's efforts.

Steve Mietz

Former superintendent of Redwood National Park who recently became president of Save the Redwoods League, an environmental group supporting the partnership's work.

Kristen Shive

Fuels and forest specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension Program at UC Berkeley, providing scientific expertise to the partnership.

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What they’re saying

“It was heartbreaking. You can't help but ask, what could I have done? What should I have done? Could I have prevented this?”

— Kevin Conway, State forests program manager, Cal Fire

“It's a race against time. It's not a matter of if, but when we will have more fires. We have the answers. We know what to do. It's not hopeless.”

— Steve Mietz, President, Save the Redwoods League

What’s next

The partnership plans to continue its thinning, controlled burning, and replanting efforts over the next 5-10 years to treat all 94 giant sequoia groves in California. Securing additional state, federal, and private funding will be crucial to completing this work and maintaining the forests long-term.

The takeaway

The devastating wildfires that have killed nearly 20% of the world's giant sequoias have spurred a coordinated effort to protect the remaining ancient groves through science-based forest management techniques. While the work is challenging and ongoing, early results suggest these efforts can make the sequoia forests more resilient to future blazes and preserve these iconic California trees for generations to come.