The safety of Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is currently a major concern for conservationists due to the increasing intensity of climate-change-driven wildfires in California. While these ancient giants are naturally fire-adapted—their thick, fibrous bark can be up to two feet thick and protects them from heat—the "megafires" of recent years (such as the Castle Fire in 2020 and the KNP Complex in 2021) have proven too hot even for them. These fires reach into the canopy, killing trees that have lived for over 2,000 years. In response, the National Park Service has taken unprecedented measures to keep them safe, including wrapping the bases of iconic trees like the General Sherman in fire-resistant aluminum foil (similar to tinfoil) and installing sprinklers to maintain humidity around the trunks. Controlled burns are also used to clear the "fuel load" of dead wood and brush on the forest floor, which prevents fires from reaching lethal temperatures. While the species is resilient, the combination of prolonged drought and high-intensity fire means their long-term survival now requires active human intervention and aggressive forest management strategies.