Here are some amazing photos after the devastating Rough Forest Fire (Located in the Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra National Forest and the Sequoia National Forest) in July, August, September and November 2015. It was started by lightning on July 31st and was finally 100% contained on November 5th 2015. It was one of the largest (151,623 acres) and most costly to fight in California's history (over $50 million) and of course, it was during one of the hottest weeks/months of the year with temperatures well above 100 degrees. This is just a small portion of the area that it had burned and was contained around the the end of September. It threatened The Hume Lake Christian Camp and the YMCA Camp at Sequoia Lake and many cabins and homes but thank the Lord they were saved. Only 4 structures were lost due to the fires. Thank goodness no one was killed and only 12 firefighters were injured during the ordeal.
The dead trees that you see are manly due to the Drought which in turns causes the trees to be infested with Mountain Pine Beetles or also known Bark Beetles that kill the trees. The count that I read was an estimated 12.5 Million dead trees in all of California's National Forests. You can see the Alpine Meadows drying up and they usually do by the end of the summer but I have never seen it this bad. The lack of rainfall and snow for several years has really been bad to our forests and our dry valley.
What is already amazing to me is that only a few weeks after the fire was out you can already see how the land, the ground cover and foliage is already trying to come back and renew itself. Even though the photos are not "attractive to the eye" you can still find and see the beauty coming through. Enjoy the incredible sights! Rp
