Based on two recent aerial surveys, the U.S. Forest Service has estimated that nearly 12.5 million trees have died due to the area’s severe drought conditions.

The persistent drought plaguing California has devastated many of the state’s trees.


An estimated 12.5 million have died, largely due to the stress the lack of water has put on the forest system.


Last month, the U.S. Forest Service conducted two aerial surveys covering around 8.3 million acres. 


In southern California, the survey revealed approximately 2 million trees have died across private lands and national forests including San Bernardino and Angeles.


And in an assessment of the Sierra Nevada area that enc