Amazing Adaptive Species!

A fire adapted species is a flora or fauna that can survive and thrive in the presence of fire invading their habitat. One such example would be the Giant Sequoia/Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum). By volume, these trees are the largest in the world. With a diameter up to 26' and a height of up to 279', the thick bark of the tree is fibrous and can be up to 3' in thickness so it can protect the cambium of the tree. Even though it is injured, most full grown Sequoias can survive this kind of damage. Although there are many trees that have bark to protect it from fire, a high intensity , low frequency fire can cause far more damage compared to a low intensity, high frequency fire that mostly effects the understory. 

Fire scar on the bark of a Giant Sequoia. 

A second example of a fire adaptation would be the what the Louisiana Pinesnake (Pituophis ruthven) does, as well as rodents, rabbits, lizards, other snakes, turtles and many other animals. These forest creatures have adapted to high frequency, low intensity forest fires by burrowing into the ground for protection. Unfortunately due to fire suppression, the Louisiana Pinesnake is losing its habitat. With infrequent fires to remove the mid-story, the high intensity and low frequency fires overtake and kill the understory. It destroys the vegetation that pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) depend on as their food source. When the gophers relocate to find other food sources, that leave the snakes without a food source or a way to burrow.  

http://www.britannica.com/list/5-amazing-adaptations-of-pyrophytic-plants

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130826-giant-sequoias-yosemite-rim-fire-forestry-science/

https://www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/learning-center/educator-resources/lesson-plans/fire-adaptation.cfm

https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Amphibians-Reptiles-and-Fish/Louisiana-Pine-Snake.aspx