The Washburn Fire is approaching the Mariposa Grove.

In the last several years, the American west coast has been beset by repeated wildfires and brush fires due to skyrocketing temperatures and extremely dry conditions. Previous fires have not only threatened populated areas, mostly in northern California, but also important nature reserves, especially those in Yosemite National Park. With fires springing up once again this summer, one particular grove is once again under threat.

A wildfire is threatening a famed giant sequoia tree grove in California's Yosemite National Park, officials said Thursday https://t.co/kFk7GMIcyZ

— CNN (@CNN) July 8, 2022

The current wildfire, named the Washburn Fire, has already burned up 60 to 70 acres of land, and is currently threatening the southern edge of Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove. This grove houses some of the oldest, most protected plant specimens in the United States, including over 500 giant sequoia trees, some of which are estimated to be over 2,000 years old. California firefighting forces are currently working to suppress the fire however they can, including aerial and ground measures. Unfortunately, California is currently experiencing a shortage of trained firefighters, exasperated by higher occurrences of wildfire conditions.

Clear visual on two of the #WashburnFire spot fires from the Deadwood Mtn 1 camhttps://t.co/zrKV7tewZA pic.twitter.com/8aBZFSMCZg

— Yosemite Firewatch (@YoseFirewatch) July 8, 2022

Wildfires are cropping from the west coast to the south coast, with the Black Fire in Arizona and New Mexico destroying enough property to become the region’s second-biggest fire in history. That fire began back in March, which is especially concerning, as wildfire season doesn’t typically begin until June.