FRESNO, Calif. — A wildfire ignited by lightning is threatening a grove of giant sequoias in California’s Sierra National Forest. The fire, known as the Garnet Fire, has burned through the grove and set some of the ancient trees ablaze.

Firefighters with specialized tree-climbing skills are being deployed to combat the flames that are affecting the canopies of these iconic trees, according to Jay Tracy, a spokesperson for the fire response team. To safeguard the sequoias, which can be as old as 3,000 years, crews have implemented several protective measures. They have laid down sprinkler lines to enhance moisture in the ground, wrapped tree trunks in fire-resistant foil blankets, cleared flammable debris from around the trees, and are actively patrolling for hotspots.

Giant sequoias are native to a 260-mile stretch of forest along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These trees can reach heights of over 300 feet and are recognized as the largest trees in the world by volume. They are closely related to redwoods, which are the tallest trees.

“These trees are near and dear to the forest and to our community, and we want to do our best to protect them,” Tracy stated.

The Garnet Fire began on August 24 and has now reached the southeast side of the 100-acre McKinley Grove. The fire was reported to have reached this area sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning. While low-intensity fires are beneficial for sequoias as they help open cones to release seeds and clear underbrush for new seedlings, the current fire is more intense than typical.

As of Tuesday, the Garnet Fire has scorched approximately 85 square miles of grass, chaparral, and timber in a remote region popular for camping and hiking, located about 60 miles east of Fresno. The fire is currently about 14% contained.