Compared with forest prior to our fire suppression policy (~1930), tree densities have increased from ~50/ac to >300. Many that are clearcut and then reseeded w

Compared with forest prior to our fire suppression policy (~1930), tree densities have increased from ~50/ac to >300. Many that are clearcut and then reseeded with Doug Fir approach 1000/ac. Historically, low intensity fire on a 4-17 year cycle would have cleared the understory of 80-90% of seedlings and brush, so we now have 4-5 generations of trees that we shouldn’t have. This has given us dense forests with more vigorous, younger trees competing with mature trees for water and nutrients. Coupled with drought and higher temps from climate change, the mature trees become stressed and susceptible to beetle infestations and disease. The younger trees also serve as ladders for low intensity ground fires to become high intensity crown fires. To answer your 2nd question: yes, Sempervirens, Save the Redwoods League, The Nature Conservancy have all partnered on projects to carry out ecological thinning to remove small diameter trees and promote a return to healthier forests that resemble the pre-1930s norm. It also happens that these practices maximize carbon sequestration.