General Sherman, Giant Forest survive KNP Complex Fire; prescribed burns credited in success.
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Iconic Sequoia Trees Wrapped as Fire Approaches Giant ForestThe General Sherman Tree was one of numerous giant sequoias wrapped in a protective aluminum material as the KNP Complex Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire, burned upslope toward Giant Forest in mid-September.
A study last year by Stephenson, of the USGS, and Christy Brigham, chief of resources at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, found that the fire killed as many as 10,000 large sequoias — wiping out up to 14 percent of all large sequoias across its natural range in the Sierra Nevada.
Two other historical and exceedingly enormous giant sequoias, the Discovery Tree with a near-30m circumference, and especially the long-fallen Father of the Forest from Calaveras Grove, reportedly a whopping 435ft high and 110ft in circumference, are widely considered to have once been larger than General Sherman.
Visiting the General Sherman TreeTwo trails lead to the Sherman Tree. Parking for the Main Trail is off the Wolverton Road (between the Sherman Tree and Lodgepole); just follow signs. The trail runs half a mile (0.8 km) down to the tree. It has a few stairs and is paved.
The Giant Forest alone is home to 8,000 giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree. The tree, which is roughly 2,200 years old, sits behind a fence and a giant sign displaying its name. While you cannot get close enough to touch it, it remains both a beautiful sight and a great photo opportunity.
The tree is 275 feet tall, and over 36 feet in diameter at the base, making it taller than the Statue of Liberty from its base to the torch. General Sherman wrapped in foil to protect it from fire. The KNP Complex Fire, which is made up of the Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire, has charred 11,365 acres, so far.