Mesic mixed-conifer forests are resilient to both historical high-severity fire and contemporary reburns in the US Northern Rocky Mountains

•We sampled mesic mixed-conifer forests burned once, twice, and thrice.•Known initial condition of high-severity fire in early 20th century for all sites.•Ninety-six percent of sites persisted as or were regenerating to conifer forest.•Forest structure, composition, and large dead wood varied with fire history.•Mesic mixed-conifer forests remain resilient to wildfires and reburns.