Wildfire threatens world’s largest trees

A growing wildfire in California is threatening the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park


Washburn Fire: Started July 7, now threatens at least 500 giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, including famed Grizzly Giant, thought to be 3,000 years old

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Yosemite Valley


YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Mature giant sequoias
1km 0.6 miles     
South Entrance
WASHBURN FIRE Area burned: 827 ha*
Mariposa Grove
Grizzly Giant                                                                                                                                                               


93m Statue of Liberty
84m General Sherman Largest sequoia
63m Grizzly Giant


Giant sequoias, world’s biggest trees by mass, can grow to over 80 metres tall

Among oldest living organisms on earth, can live to over 3,000 years


*As of Jul 11
  

Sources: National Park Service, InciWeb
Picture: Giuseppe Milo, Google Maps 
© GRAPHIC NEWS