With Yosemite’s giant sequoias at risk, firefighters place hope in prescribed burns

Treatments conducted well ahead of time may help limit damage from Washburn fire

A wildfire has burned more than 2,720 acres in Yosemite national park, sparking global concern for the cherished groves of ancient and iconic tall trees clustered among the picturesque mountainsides. The fire, which was 22% contained Tuesday morning, also forced evacuations in the town of Wawona and caused the park to partially close to visitors. It's possible that the blaze will smolder for weeks, even as containment increases.

As the Washburn fire crept closer to the Mariposa Grove, home to hundreds of giant sequoias, including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, which stretches over 200ft into the sky, firefighters installed protections for trees, setting up sprinkler systems to tame flames that might meet their bases with a bump of humidity and moisture.