News Release

Ignitions Complete on 2025 Big Stump East Prescribed Burn

Two firefighters monitor the fire effects on the Big Stump East Prescribed Burn in Kings Canyon National Park

NPS / LParry

News Release Date: June 24, 2025
Contact: Mike Theune, Fire Information Officer

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Calif. June 24, 2025 – As of this afternoon, ignitions are complete on the 2025 Big Stump East Prescribed Burn. In all, approximately 126-acres were completed in the area of the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. Completing this prescribed burn increases the historic Grant Grove’s chance of being defendable during an unwanted wildfire as was demonstrated during both the 2015 Rough Fire and the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

“The benefits may not be as noticeable from season to season, but over time, prescribed fires make a huge difference in protecting our health and safety,” said Leif Mathiesen, Fire Management Officer for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. “These projects ensure that the Grant Grove of Giant Sequoias is enduring and enjoyed by future generations.”

You may see active fire, smoke, firefighters, and firefighting equipment along the roadways for several days as the remaining fuels continue to be consumed. This is normal. Smoke impacts will reduce each day going forward.

Please drive carefully, do not stop your car in the road or close to active fire activities, as embers and hot spots can persist after active fire has stopped. Please be mindful of signage and directions from firefighters and park rangers.

Access to the eastern portion of the Big Stump Trail will be temporarily closed following ignitions for public safety. Firefighters will attempt to limit the duration of these closures as much as possible. Visitors will still be able to access the General Grant Tree Trail during ignitions.For more information about fire in the parks, visit go.nps.gov/sekifire

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About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ Fire Management Program
For over fifty years, our mission has been to use the full range of options and strategies available to manage fire in the parks. This includes protecting park resources, employees, and the public from unwanted fire; building and maintaining fire resilient ecosystems; reducing the threat to local communities from wildfires emanating from the parks or adjacent lands; and recruiting, training, and retaining a professional fire management workforce.

About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
These two parks, which lie-side-by-side in the southern Sierra Nevada in Central California, serve as a prime example of nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. In 2024, over 2 million visitors from across the U.S. and the world visited these parks for the world’s largest trees (by volume), grand mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, the highest point in the lower 48 states, and more. Learn more at http://www.nps.gov/seki or 559-565-3341.

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Tags: 2025 prescribed fires, prescribed burn, wildland fire, fire, prescribed fire

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