Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is back open after wildfire disruptions.

After nearly a month of closure due to wildfire concerns, the iconic Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park has reopened to visitors this month.

This renowned grove is home to about 500 mature sequoias, making it the largest collection in the park. Among them is the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be around 3,000 years old, which remains a favorite spot for Yosemite visitors. The grove's future was uncertain after the Washburn Fire ignited nearby on July 7.

While the fire scorched nearly 5,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada (now fully contained), the Mariposa Grove mostly emerged unscathed. Although some trees bear fire scars, none have perished.

A sprinkler system designed to keep the tree trunks moist helped protect the grove from the flames. Additionally, small, controlled burns conducted over the past 50 years reduced available fuel, enabling firefighters to limit the fire's damage to the thick bark of these magnificent trees.

“We’ve been preparing for the Washburn Fire for decades,” said Garrett Dickman, a biologist at Yosemite National Park, in an interview with the Associated Press.

Giant sequoias, found in only about 70 groves along California’s Sierra Nevada, were once thought to be fireproof but have become increasingly susceptible to wildfires. These fires, intensified by a century of fire suppression and climate change-induced drought, are fueled by a buildup of underbrush.

In the last two years, lightning-caused wildfires have decimated up to 20% of the estimated 75,000 large sequoias, the largest trees by volume. The investigation into the cause of the Washburn Fire is ongoing.

Although the grove reopened on August 10, certain trails are still restricted for visitors, including the Washburn Trail, parts of the perimeter trail, and the route from the grove to Wawona. However, popular loops, such as the one that features the Grizzly Giant, remain open for hikers to explore.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.