Wildfires have burned more than 1 million acres in California in the past few weeks. 

Officials say over 12,000 lightning strikes started 585 fires in a very short span of time. 

Hundreds of thousands of folks have been evacuated and more than 13,000 firefighters are currently fighting the blaze. 

This is a very bad situation for many, but there is some good news to be found. 

Scientists surveying burned redwood trees in Big Basin Park believe that almost all of the trees will make a full recovery. 

Research forester Mark Finney was among the first to survey photos after the fires moved out of the park.

“None of this looks that bad to me,” he told Mercury News.

“There’s a lot of scorch in there, but most of these trees are fine. You can see brown foliage on these trees. It doesn’t mean the tree is dead at all… Most of these trees will do just fine.”

Some of the Redwoods in the park are over 1,000 years old. 

Redwood trees evolved to withstand regular wildfires. Some of the oldest ones have trunks over 20 feet wide and stand over 350 feet tall. 

Large redwoods developed thick bark over time; sometimes over a foot thick. This acts as a barrier that prevents fire from reaching the vital nutrient-carrying wood underneath.

And while some trees are doomed if a fire scorches their crowns, redwoods have buds beneath their bark that sprout new foliage after a fire.

California’s wildlife is resilient, as are it’s people. If you are in a position to help, consider donating to the California Fire Foundation by clicking here.