Oregon Firefighters Battle to Save Iconic Doerner Fir from Blaze
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Firefighters in Oregon are battling a fire in the Doerner Fir, one of the world's tallest trees, since Saturday.
- The fire has already reduced the tree's height by about 50 feet, potentially affecting its global ranking.
- Helicopter bucket drops and ground-based sprinklers are being used to control the fire, with a focus on a hot spot 280 feet up the tree.
- The cause of the fire is under investigation, with lightning ruled out, and the area is closed to the public.
- The tree's age and accumulated flammable materials, such as dried moss and bark, contribute to the fire risk.
Firefighters in Oregon are engaged in a challenging operation to save the Doerner Fir, one of the tallest and oldest trees in the world, from a persistent fire that ignited last Saturday. The towering Douglas fir, standing over 325 feet tall and estimated to be around 450 years old, has already lost approximately 50 feet due to the blaze, potentially impacting its status among the world's tallest trees.
Firefighting Efforts Intensify
The Coos Forest Protective Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to wildland fire protection in Oregon, has been at the forefront of the firefighting efforts. Helicopter crews have been deployed to perform bucket drops, successfully reducing fire activity near the tree's canopy. Ground crews have established containment lines and installed sprinklers around the tree's base to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Megan Harper, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management, reported that an infrared drone detected heat within a cavity 280 feet up the tree, although no active flames were visible at the top. "The tree is so big, it's got so much mass that it would take a while for it to burn all the way through," Harper explained, emphasizing the tree's resilience despite the ongoing fire.
Challenges and Safety Concerns
Fire officials have decided against sending climbing crews into the Doerner Fir due to safety concerns, as falling debris from the treetop poses significant risks. Instead, they are exploring alternative methods to reach and extinguish the fire. The tree's height and accumulated flammable materials, such as dried moss and bark, have heightened the fire risk, according to Harper. "That material is all flammable," she noted, highlighting the challenges faced by the firefighting teams.
Investigation and Public Safety
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with lightning already ruled out as a potential cause. The Bureau of Land Management is actively investigating the incident, and the area surrounding the Doerner Fir has been closed to the public to ensure safety during the firefighting efforts.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
As firefighting efforts continue, the focus remains on cooling the hot spot within the tree to prevent further damage. If successful, these efforts could preserve the Doerner Fir's standing as one of the tallest trees globally. However, the fire's impact on the tree's structural integrity and ecological role in the forest remains uncertain.
The incident underscores the broader challenges of wildfire management in the face of climate change, with increased temperatures and dry conditions contributing to the frequency and intensity of such fires. Experts suggest that enhanced conservation strategies and proactive fire management plans will be crucial in safeguarding iconic natural landmarks like the Doerner Fir in the future.
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Oregon Firefighters Battle to Save Iconic Doerner Fir from Blaze
In This Article
Leila Hassan| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Firefighters in Oregon are battling a fire in the Doerner Fir, one of the world's tallest trees, since Saturday.
- The fire has already reduced the tree's height by about 50 feet, potentially affecting its global ranking.
- Helicopter bucket drops and ground-based sprinklers are being used to control the fire, with a focus on a hot spot 280 feet up the tree.
- The cause of the fire is under investigation, with lightning ruled out, and the area is closed to the public.
- The tree's age and accumulated flammable materials, such as dried moss and bark, contribute to the fire risk.
Firefighters in Oregon are engaged in a challenging operation to save the Doerner Fir, one of the tallest and oldest trees in the world, from a persistent fire that ignited last Saturday. The towering Douglas fir, standing over 325 feet tall and estimated to be around 450 years old, has already lost approximately 50 feet due to the blaze, potentially impacting its status among the world's tallest trees.
Firefighting Efforts Intensify
The Coos Forest Protective Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to wildland fire protection in Oregon, has been at the forefront of the firefighting efforts. Helicopter crews have been deployed to perform bucket drops, successfully reducing fire activity near the tree's canopy. Ground crews have established containment lines and installed sprinklers around the tree's base to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Megan Harper, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management, reported that an infrared drone detected heat within a cavity 280 feet up the tree, although no active flames were visible at the top. "The tree is so big, it's got so much mass that it would take a while for it to burn all the way through," Harper explained, emphasizing the tree's resilience despite the ongoing fire.
Challenges and Safety Concerns
Fire officials have decided against sending climbing crews into the Doerner Fir due to safety concerns, as falling debris from the treetop poses significant risks. Instead, they are exploring alternative methods to reach and extinguish the fire. The tree's height and accumulated flammable materials, such as dried moss and bark, have heightened the fire risk, according to Harper. "That material is all flammable," she noted, highlighting the challenges faced by the firefighting teams.
Investigation and Public Safety
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with lightning already ruled out as a potential cause. The Bureau of Land Management is actively investigating the incident, and the area surrounding the Doerner Fir has been closed to the public to ensure safety during the firefighting efforts.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
As firefighting efforts continue, the focus remains on cooling the hot spot within the tree to prevent further damage. If successful, these efforts could preserve the Doerner Fir's standing as one of the tallest trees globally. However, the fire's impact on the tree's structural integrity and ecological role in the forest remains uncertain.
The incident underscores the broader challenges of wildfire management in the face of climate change, with increased temperatures and dry conditions contributing to the frequency and intensity of such fires. Experts suggest that enhanced conservation strategies and proactive fire management plans will be crucial in safeguarding iconic natural landmarks like the Doerner Fir in the future.
Images from the Web
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