Description
Records generated within the organizational divisions of Sequoia Kings
Canyon National Park concerning Park management, planning and development.
Background
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been at the forefront of fire management and the evolution of National Park Service
fire policy since the 1950s. Building on the research into the ecology of Giant Sequoia groves begun by Richard Hartesveldt
in the mid-1960s, the Parks recognized that the exclusion of all fire was inhibiting Sequoia regeneration. An appreciation
of the central role played by fire, the Parks were among the first in the Park service to reappraise its approach to fire
management. In 1968, the Parks began both a prescribed burn and a let burn policy for selected fires ignited by lightning
at higher elevation, where the risks for major conflagration were minimal. By the early 1970s, the Parks had begun to reintroduce
fire to much of landscape, a complete reversal of nearly a hundred years precedent.
Restrictions
Many collections are former federal government records and are in the public domain. Other collections are from private sources;
copyright has been transferred to the NPS on most. Some collections have publication restrictions. Researchers are required
to properly credit all materials used. The researcher assumes responsibility for acquiring copyright permissions when needed.
Availability
Collection is open for research by appointment.