Giant California sequoias wrapped in aluminum as fire nears

Firefighting crews are using a novel technique to defend California's iconic giant sequoias from a lightning-caused wildfire in the Sierra Nevada

THREE RIVERS, Calif. -- Firefighters have wrapped the base of the world’s largest tree in a fire-resistant blanket as part of an effort to save a famous grove of gigantic old-growth sequoias from wildfires burning in California’s rugged Sierra Nevada.

The colossal General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park’s Giant Forest, some other sequoias, the Giant Forest Museum and other buildings were wrapped for protection against the possibility of intense flames, fire spokeswoman Rebecca Paterson said.

The aluminum wrapping can withstand intensive heat for short periods. Federal officials said they have used the material for several years throughout the U.S. West to protect sensitive structures from flames. Near Lake Tahoe, some homes that were wrapped in protective material survived a recent wildfire while others nearby were destroyed.

The Colony Fire, one of two burning in Sequoia National Park and named for the area where it started, was expected to reach the Giant Forest, a grove of 2,000 sequoias, within days, fire officials said.