A historic 450-year-old coastal Douglas Fir, the Doerner Fir, standing over 325 feet tall in Oregon’s Coast Range, has been burning since August 16, 2025, prompting urgent firefighting efforts to save one of the world’s tallest non-redwood trees. Concurrently, a dangerous heatwave sweeping California and the US Southwest has heightened wildfire risks, with triple-digit temperatures and red flag warnings issued across multiple regions.
In Coos County, Oregon, the Doerner Fir fire remains a focal point. An infrared drone flight on August 19 revealed no active flames or smoke at the tree’s top, but heat persists in a cavity 280 feet up the trunk, posing a challenge for firefighters. Helicopter bucket drops have cooled the canopy, and sprinklers with containment lines are in place at the base to prevent ground spread. However, thick bark hinders water penetration into the trunk’s interior, and safety concerns over falling debris have ruled out tree-climbing crews. Options like scaffolding or accessing adjacent trees are under consideration, though monitoring the smoldering cavity is also a possibility.
The fire has already claimed about 50 feet of the tree’s top, potentially affecting its global height ranking, but its massive size makes complete destruction unlikely, according to Bureau of Land Management spokesperson Megan Harper. “The tree is so big, it’s got so much mass that it would take a while to burn all the way through,” she said, emphasizing the community’s resolve to save the cherished landmark. The fire’s cause remains under investigation, with lightning ruled out based on weather data.
Meanwhile, California and the Southwest are grappling with a severe heatwave that began on August 20, 2025, exacerbating wildfire threats. The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings for Southern California through the weekend, with downtown Los Angeles expected to hit 94°F (34°C), northern valleys up to 108°F (42°C), and Death Valley potentially reaching a scorching 120°F (49°C).
Arizona anticipates peaks of 110°F (43°C) on Thursday and Friday, with similar conditions in Las Vegas. Residents are urged to hydrate, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and shift tasks to early morning hours. In Los Angeles, cooling centers have opened to provide relief, as individuals like Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, seek shade to escape the “sizzling hot” conditions.
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Red flag warnings are in effect across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday, driven by high temperatures, low humidity, and potential lightning in the Sierra Nevada. California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to high-risk areas, with Nancy Ward, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, stressing the importance of prepositioning resources for rapid response.
The state’s largest fire this year, the Gifford Fire, which scorched 534 square kilometers in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, reached 95% containment on August 19, but its cause remains under investigation. Authorities are urging residents in high-risk mountain and foothill areas to review evacuation plans and stay updated with local emergency alerts.
As the Doerner Fir fights for survival and the Southwest braces for potential blazes, the region faces a dual crisis of preserving natural heritage and mitigating escalating fire risks amid extreme weather.
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