Oregon’s emergency services were actively working to save the Doerner Fir, which is considered one of the world’s oldest trees, after it caught fire over the weekend. This coastal Douglas Fir is a towering 325 feet tall and is estimated to be at least 450 years old.
Although the fir no longer had active flames as of Tuesday, it was still smoldering in certain areas. Firefighters could detect heat within a cavity in its trunk, approximately 280 feet above the ground. Due to the height of the heat signature, it was challenging to reach and authorities were considering constructing scaffolding or having firefighters climb adjacent trees. It was mentioned that a significant part of the tree had already been lost, but it was not at imminent risk of burning down completely. The exact cause of the fire remained unknown, with local news outlets reporting that a lightning strike had been ruled out as the cause. The state was committed to saving the tree, acknowledging its historical significance.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/firefighters-battle-flame-on-one-of-the-world-s-oldest-trees/a-73697278?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
