Oregon Crews Battle Fire Inside One of the World's Tallest Trees

Firefighting Efforts on a Giant Tree

• 🚒 Crews are working to extinguish a fire burning inside a massive Douglas fir tree on Oregon's southern coast.
• 💡 The tree, over 450 years old and more than 325 feet tall, is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
• 🚁 Firefighters have used helicopter bucket drops to combat the fire at the top of the tree and hoses/sprinklers on the ground.
• 🧗 Master tree climbers and arborists are being brought in to access and water hot spots in the middle section of the tree, where heat and smoke are still present.

Damage and Tree Survival

• 🔥 The fire has been burning inside the tree's trunk since Saturday, affecting the bark and interior portions.
• 🌳 Despite the internal burning, foresters believe the majority of the tree is structurally sound due to its immense wood material.
• ✅ There is confidence that the tree will survive the fire, though it may not remain the record holder for height.

Cause and Risk of Spread

• 🔍 The cause of the fire is under investigation by foresters, law enforcement, and firefighters.
• 🌲 Fortunately, there is no immediate danger to other nearby trees or the surrounding forest.
• 🛡️ A crew is staffing the tree 24/7 to quickly respond to any potential spread.

Tree's Future Growth

• 🌱 At 450 years old, the tree is no longer actively growing and has entered a slow decay process.
• 🪵 The fire is burning some of this decaying, rotten wood within the tree.
• 🌳 While the tree is expected to survive, it will not regenerate or grow back to its former stature.