For millennia, giant sequoias – the largest trees on Earth – have resisted and relied on fire. But today's wildfires are far more frequent and intense due to climate-change fueled droughts.
In July 2022, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia trees in Yosemite narrowly avoided disaster in the Washburn Fire due to quick action and long-term planning. This story looks at ways sequoias co-exist with fire and how humans are protecting them from the increased threats they face.
My role
Illustration research I interviewed scientists to understand how giant sequoias protect themselves from fire. I then determined what we would illustrate.
Art direction I worked with our illustrator, Anurag, to make sure the final illustrations were scientifically accurate and fit the overall style of the page.
Production
Writing