• Giant Sequoia Trees

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon

    National Parks California

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  • Changes to Some Opening/Closing Dates for Services and Facilities – Check Back for Updates

    Some of the opening/closing dates for facilities and visitor services in the parks have changed due to weather and/or other circumstances. See link for details and match to locations on the park map (under "Park Tools," bottom left, this page). More »

  • Road Conditions (Entire Park) and Road Construction Delays (if Entering/Exiting Hwy. 198)

    Expect 20-minute to 1-hour construction delays on main road through parks (Generals Hwy) until Memorial Day weekend (7 a.m.-6 p.m.). See link for schedule. Call for 24-hour road conditions info: 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1, 1). More »

  • Vehicle Length Limits Have Changed in Sequoia NP (if Entering/Exiting Hwy 198)

    Planning to see the "Big Trees" in Sequoia National Park? If you enter/exit via Hwy. 198, please pay close attention to new vehicle length advisories for your safety and the safety of others. More »

  • You May Have Trouble Calling Us. Use the "Contact Us" Link (Bottom Left) to Send an E-mail.

    We are experiencing technical problems receiving some incoming phone calls at the parks. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please keep trying to reach us or check this website for frequently-asked questions. The search box (top, right) may be helpful.

Fire History of a Sequoia-Mixed Conifer Forest Abstract

Abstract

Fire History of a Sequoia-Mixed Conifer Forest. B.M. Kilgore and D. Taylor. 1979. Ecology 60:129-142.

Using fire scarred trees in the Redwood Mountain area of Kings Canyon National Park, years of past occurrence and past fire frequencies were determined. Prior to 1875 fire frequency averaged 9 yr on west-facing slopes and 16 yr on east-facing slopes. Mean fire-free intervals between 1700 and 1875 varied by habitat, from 5 yr in ponderosa pine on a dry ridge to 15-18 yr on more moist sites with fir.

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Did You Know?

Black bear on tree trunk.

Picnic areas are a major source of problem bears. Bears quickly lose their fear of humans when allowed access to our food. They wind up dead, hit by cars or shot because they threaten people. Store all food immediately on arrival, stay close to food at tables, and put all trash in bearproof cans!