Firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish a fire threatening the Doerner Fir, a massive 325 ft tree over 450 years old. With the fire already costing it about 50 ft in height, unconventional methods are considered for containment as officials monitor ongoing conditions.
Firefighters Battle to Save Iconic Doerner Fir from Devastating Blaze

Firefighters Battle to Save Iconic Doerner Fir from Devastating Blaze
Crews in Oregon make urgent efforts to protect one of the tallest trees in the world, the Doerner Fir, from a destructive fire as it faces potential height loss.
Firefighters in Oregon are engaged in a fierce battle to extinguish a fire that has been threatening the renowned Doerner Fir, recognized as one of the tallest trees in the world. Standing at over 325 feet (99 meters) and estimated to be more than 450 years old, this giant fir has suffered significant damage from a blaze that started on Saturday, losing approximately 50 feet of its height.
As the warm and arid forecast persists along the state's Coast Range, firefighting efforts have become increasingly challenging. In response, officials have contemplated the use of unique techniques to combat the flames, including the construction of scaffolding to reach elevated sections of the tree and suppress the fire more effectively.
Although the cause of the fire remains unconfirmed, authorities have discounted lightning as a possible trigger. On Tuesday, an infrared drone survey revealed no active fire or smoke at the tree's summit but indicated the presence of heat originating from a cavity about 280 feet up on the trunk, as stated by Megan Harper, a spokesperson for the federal Bureau of Land Management.
Harper conveyed concerns regarding the potential impact on the tree’s global height ranking due to the loss attributed to the fire. "We've lost about 50 ft of it, just from fire and pieces falling out," she mentioned, emphasizing uncertainty about how the tree's stature might alter after these events. However, she reassured that the massive fir is unlikely to burn down entirely, given its size and mass.
The Coos Forest Protective Association has noted that efforts such as helicopter bucket drops have successfully diminished fire activity at the top of the tree, while sprinklers and containment lines are being established around its base. A helicopter remains on standby as part of the ongoing strategy to protect this natural marvel.