Parts of Sequoia National Park reopen as wildfire battle continues
Park is home to some of the world’s oldest trees
Parts of Sequoia National Park reopen
After a long summer of threats from wildfires prompted closures of Sequoia National Park, portions of the park have reopened.
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. – After a long summer of threats from wildfires prompted closures of Sequoia National Park, portions of the park have reopened.
Much of the park, which is home to some of the oldest trees in the world, has been closed since lightning strikes started two fires in September. Those two fires would later merge and become the KNP Complex Fire.
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As of Nov. 12, the Foothills area of the park is open for use during the day, and the following areas have reopened:
- Foothills Visitor Center
- Sequoia Parks Conservancy Park Store
- Foothills Picnic Area
- Tunnel Rock
- Potwisha Day Use Area
- Hospital Rock and Hospital Rock Picnic Area
- Middle Fork Trail
Neighboring Kings Canyon National Park has also been closed for much of the summer. Sections of that park have reopened, as well.
More information about the reopening and restrictions that are in place can be found at nps.gov/seki.
During the summer, images of foil blankets being wrapped around the 36-foot base of the world’s largest tree – the General Sherman – circulated on social media. The 2,200-year-old tree was unscathed by the fire.
US National Park Service (NPS) and US Forest Service (USFS) personnel unwrap the General Sherman giant sequoia tree during the KNP Complex Fire on October 22, 2021 in Sequoia National Park near Three Rivers, California.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Officials said the KNP Complex Fire has consumed more than 88,000 acres and is 75% contained.