Researchers found treated trees were nearly four times more likely to survive than untreated ones. Simulations suggest prescribed burns prevented about 1,900 sequoia deaths across 19 groves during the fires.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Matt Howard;

Published in Nature Communications, the study analysed about 26,400 giant sequoias using airborne lidar and high-resolution satellite imagery. Researchers estimated that treating every tree in the studied groves could have saved an additional 3,900 sequoias. The authors say prescribed fire is an essential conservation tool as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires.