Larger trees are usually not top-killed by severe fire. The Soboba Fire on the San Bernadino National Forest, classified as an extremely hot crown fire, killed only 4 percent of burned coast live oak. Roots are protected by an outer corky layer and the soil itself. Severe fire, however, may kill even buried acorns. Coast live oak generally recovers well from fire, although severely burned crowns, trunks, and root crowns may require several years to sprout.
Oaks are more likely to be damaged by fall fire than earlier fires.
The most common fire damage to the trunk is a basal wound resulting in cambium death. Low-severity fire apparently favors regeneration. The outstanding fire resistance of this species ensures that few large trees will be killed by moderate-severity prescribed fire. Less than 6 in. More than 12 in.