Scramble to Defend Yosemite Giant Sequioas from Rim Fire

The largest trees on earth are under threat from the Rim Fire.

Humans to the rescue.

Fire crews are scrambling to protect the giant sequoias -- some of which are 2,000 years old -- in Yosemite National Park from the steadily-advancing rim fire, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Wildfire is a "tool for survival" for the giant trees, which are centered in three main stands in the park, which is currently being burned by the Rim Fire, which was 179,481 acres in size on Tuesday morning, according to fire officials. 

That said, this fire is not going to be healthy for the ancient trees, which are being doused with water by sprinklers and protected from the advancing fire -- about five miles away from the groves -- by firebreaks, the newspaper reported.

Two of the three stands are directly threatened by the Rim Fire at the moment, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, which added that the fire is burning with "more intensity and heat" than other conflagarations due to a surplus of fuel available due to "strict fire suppression policies of the past."

The Rim Fire is jumping from treetop to treetop in the "bone-dry forest," the newspaper reported.