Payam Javan: A lightning-sparked wildfire in California’s Sierra National Forest has spread into McKinley Grove, igniting several giant sequoias—some of which are estimated to be up to 3,000 years old. The Garnet Fire, which began on August 24, has burned 85 square miles of grass, chaparral, and timber in Fresno County, an area popular for hiking and camping. As of Tuesday, the blaze was just 14 percent contained.

Fire crews have deployed specialized tactics to protect the ancient trees, including wrapping trunks in fire-resistant foil, laying sprinkler lines to moisten the ground, and clearing away flammable debris. Wildland firefighters with tree-climbing expertise are also working to extinguish flames in the tree canopies, where the fire has threatened to cause lasting damage.

Sequoias, which naturally grow only in a narrow 260-mile stretch of California’s Sierra Nevada, are the largest trees in the world by volume. While these towering giants depend on low-intensity fires to release seeds and clear undergrowth, officials warn that the intensity of the Garnet Fire poses a serious threat. “These trees are near and dear to the forest and to our community, and we want to do our best to protect them,” said fire spokesperson Jay Tracy.