Firefighters are racing against time to save Oregon’s tallest tree, a coastal Douglas fir believed to be approximately 450 years old. Standing at an impressive 325 feet, this majestic tree is recognized as one of the tallest non-redwood trees in the world. The tree caught fire last week and remains ablaze east of Coquille, with concerns that its age and condition could lead to further destruction.
If conditions weren’t difficult enough, the Dixie Fire has presented unprecedented challenges for firefighting crews. According to their latest update on Monday, the fire was working its way from the top down into the trunk. As a result, helicopter crews were flown in to put a stop to the fire in the treetops. One hot spot about 280 feet up the tree is still smoking. Due to its height, the tree is particularly susceptible to lightning strikes and oncoming debris.
The recent spate of summer months only accelerated these embedded inequities. The deciduous tree has accumulated a big tangle of dried moss and bark, both of which catch fire readily. The convergence of all of these factors, in what is already a dangerous profession, spells trouble for firefighters.
Harper, a member of the firefighting delegation resident, said that they are postponing any additional helicopter drops today. They want to see how the fire will act before they proceed making more active intervention decisions.
As crews assess their strategies, they face risks associated with fallout from the treetop, which complicates direct engagement under the tree. Crews are looking for other ways to access the fire and put it out safely. The Coos Forest Protective Association noted the hazardous conditions: “Fallout from the treetop makes it unsafe for crews to engage directly under the tree.”
The immediate area around the tree has been restricted from public access due to fire suppression activities that continue on sight. “Visitors should be aware that the area will be closed to public use at this time due to active fire and firefighting efforts,” stated the association.
The tree’s strange properties add to the challenges firefighters face. Harper explained, “It’s an older tree; it has a lot of pitch that’s coming out of it, that sticky, sugary substance that has the potential to be pretty flammable.” With temperatures persisting above average and limited precipitation in the forecast, the threat for fire growth continues to be a concern.