LAUSR

Significance Forests’ capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2 through vegetation growth (carbon uptake) depends in part on how long it has been since, and the severity of, wildfire. Increases in fire area and severity, as observed in California recently, could change both CO2 released into the atmosphere and the cumulative forest carbon uptake. We combine ground measurements and satellite observations to understand how fire has changed carbon uptake across California over the past century. We find that the recent increase in fire area and severity has reduced carbon uptake, compared to unburned and overstocked controls. Active management that enhances ecosystem resilience and decreases future fire severity may accelerate the recovery of carbon uptake following fire.