Fire in the Redwoods

Here we walk through Big Basin after the Fire. Follow the natural regeneration in our coast redwood forests.

This chimney is all that rises from the infrastructure destroyed by the 2020 fire in Big Basin.

The wildfire burned hot around this opening in the coast redwood forest. Natural regeneration is turning Big Basin green again after four years.

All of these trees were burned to a crisp, but they are sprouting at their bases and in the canopy, while a thick understory returns.

Opportunists, such as thistle, take advantage of post-fire openings where direct sunlight makes it to the surface of what was a dark forest floor.

More redwood snag trees growing to bottlebrush trees four years after the firestorm.

Instead of welcoming visitors, Big Basin buildings have been incinerated, leaving steps into fire history.

Here are five samples from an outdoor art project along the trail at Big Basin. They focus on conservation, life experiences, and resilience after the catastrophic fire…

Personal stories from Big Basin were shared in outdoor art displays after the fire. Here are a few examples from signage along the trail.

This artistic and informative map display shows the extent of the August, 2020 wildfire in Big Basin.

Another personal story and art exhibit sharing some history at Big Basin.

Click on to the next page to explore Prairie Creek Redwoods and then farther south along our redwood coast.

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William Selby

William Selby is a native Californian who has explored, researched, and worked in every corner of the Golden State. William has accumulated over 3 decades of experience teaching Geography and Earth Science at Santa Monica College. Since retiring from teaching, his lifelong love and extensive knowledge of the Golden State is reflected in the book as well as in his continued service to academia, geography and the State of California.

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