From Ashes to Action: Restoring Forests After Wildfire

The Arbor Day Foundation works with trusted local partners to restore fire-damaged landscapes across high-risk areas like the American Pacific West, where replanting is more urgent and complex than ever. 

When it’s done with intention, the results are remarkable — like more than two million trees planted in the wake of California’s historic Camp and Carr fires. These restorations happen because of the Foundation’s network of reforestation experts, on-the-ground partners, and our members, whose support fuels the long-term recovery of wildfire-impacted communities and the forests they depend on. 

Tree planting is actually one of the final steps in a long recovery process. It begins with site assessments and planning — determining which species will thrive, how the landscape has changed, and how to give young seedlings the best shot at survival. From removing invasive brush to testing soil, everything must be timed precisely and, in many regions, there’s only a short seasonal window to safely plant. 

High-intensity fires don’t just burn trees — they destroy soil seed banks, threaten genetic diversity, and leave behind sterile ground with nothing left to grow. In these moonscapes, reforestation is the only way back. 

Still, there’s hope. “It’s humbling to see the devastation,” said Nik Larum, general manager of Cal Forest Nursery, “but incredible to know you’re part of helping these forests return.”