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Forest in California may be disappearing. Scientists say repeated fires, drought and beetle infestations are altering the Sierra Nevada. Despite relatively mild wildfire seasons this year and last year, California has seen 12 of its largest 20 wildfires — including the top eight — in the previous five years. Efforts are underway by the state and federal government to cut down smaller trees and set fires under ideal conditions to clear out undergrowth. But some environmentalists are poised to challenge projects they say are really logging plans.

Forest in California may be disappearing. Scientists say repeated fires, drought and beetle infestations are altering the Sierra Nevada. Despite relatively mild wildfire seasons this year and last year, California has seen 12 of its largest 20 wildfires — including the top eight — in the previous five years. Efforts are underway by the state and federal government to cut down smaller trees and set fires under ideal conditions to clear out undergrowth. But some environmentalists are poised to challenge projects they say are really logging plans.

On a mountainside where walls of flames torched the forest on their way toward Lake Tahoe in 2021, blackened trees stand against a gray sky.

Forests in California may be disappearing. Scientists say repeated fires, drought and beetle infestations are altering the Sierra Nevada.

California's prized forests are under threat from intense fires and other factors. The state has lost nearly 7% of its tree cover since 1985.