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Giant sequoias tower over a forest with golden foliage, fallen logs and rocks, with mountains and smoke plumes in the distance

Park news · Sequoia & Kings Canyon

Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Plan for Prescribed Pile Burning During Your Visit

Prescribed pile burning is planned at Sequoia & Kings Canyon from November 1 through March 15, 2027, conditions permitting.

By Jocelyn Pion,

If you're planning to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon this winter, prescribed pile burning is scheduled to begin November 1. The announced schedule runs through March 15, 2027. The work depends on favorable conditions, so we recommend keeping your plans flexible.

The burns are planned for multiple locations throughout Sequoia & Kings Canyon. The information provided doesn't identify specific locations. As you plan, avoid linking this announcement to any particular trail, road, or viewpoint.

Pile of cut branches in a clearing surrounded by tall sequoias, with rocks and forested mountains in the background

These operations aim to reduce vegetation that could fuel a wildfire and promote forest health. The National Park Service will carry out the work with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. These are planned operations, and whether they proceed will depend on conditions.

Before you go, check local updates ahead of your visit. This announcement doesn't specify any closures or access restrictions, so we can't conclude that any location will be inaccessible during your stay. The overall schedule also doesn't tell us whether a burn will take place on the day you visit.

For help planning your trip, see our guide to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. We recommend distinguishing between the announced burning season and individual burns confirmed locally. If you're visiting between November and mid-March, keep this information in mind as you plan your stops, then adjust your outings based on the updates available when you arrive.