Nearly 500-Year-Old Tree, One Of The World’s Tallest, Has Been Burning for Days

A 320-foot Douglas Fir in Oregon’s Coast Range Mountains is burning but remains standing. The Doerner Fir, between 450 and 500 years old, caught fire on August 16th, says Megan Harper of the Bureau of Land Management. Fire is mostly contained within the tree, with some smoke 280 feet up. Crews use ground hoses, sprinklers, helicopters, and drones with infrared to monitor and fight the blaze. While some bark and sap burned, much of the tree remains intact. As of August 20, the tree shows no risk of collapsing. The fire’s cause is unknown but unlikely lightning. Harper emphasized firefighter safety, noting the tree’s size poses challenges. (People)