Massive Fire in California and Nevada Threatens Biodiverse National Preserve and Joshua Trees
A massive fire is currently burning through the desert in California and southern Nevada, causing extensive damage to a biodiverse national preserve and its iconic Joshua trees. The York Fire, which has already become California’s largest fire of the year, has scorched over 82,000 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to fire officials. The fire started on Friday in the New York Mountains of California’s Mojave National Preserve and has since crossed state lines into Nevada.
The fire poses a significant threat to the groves of Joshua trees, which are branching and spiky plants that can live for more than 150 years in the Mojave Desert. Unfortunately, some of these trees have already fallen victim to the flames and burned, confirmed Marc Peebles, a spokesperson for California’s incident management team for the fire.
The Mojave National Preserve is known for its rich biodiversity and is often referred to as the “crown jewel” of the deserts of Southern California. Joshua trees are unique to the Desert Southwest and far northwestern Mexico, and one of the densest Joshua tree forests is located within the burn area, according to Cody Hanford, executive director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust.
The extent of the damage to the Joshua trees and other plant and animal life is still unclear, as stated by a Mojave Preserve spokesperson. Once the fire is extinguished, preserve rangers will conduct surveys by air and ground to determine the full scope of the damage.
The fire initially spread rapidly due to extreme conditions, including fire whirls and 20-foot flames, making it dangerous and difficult to control. However, recent rounds of rain in the area have allowed firefighters to make progress in containing the fire. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was 30% contained. Despite this progress, the damage to the landscape will have long-lasting effects.
Laura Cunningham, the California director of the Western Watersheds Project, expressed her concern, stating that it will take a lifetime to restore the mature Joshua trees. Some of the trees are fire-resistant and may sprout out or reseed if the flames were not too hot. However, the overall impact of the fire is devastating.
The Mojave National Preserve has experienced an increase in fire frequency over the past decade due to wet winters and the presence of invasive grasses, according to fire officials. The loss of Joshua trees in an area makes reproduction more difficult and could result in the loss of irreplaceable resources in the park, such as historic structures and cultural artifacts, as stated by the National Park Service.
In 2020, a wildfire burned through the Joshua tree woodland of California’s Cima Dome, destroying as many as 1.3 million Joshua trees and leaving behind a plant graveyard, according to the National Park Service.
Firefighters battling the York Fire in the Mojave National Preserve are among the more than 11,000 wildland firefighters and personnel assigned across the country, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Currently, there are 67 active large fires burning in 11 states, with over 1.1 million acres burned across the US in 2023.
Firefighters have been aided by recent rain, but the Mojave Desert’s seasonal and scarce rainfall poses a unique challenge. The Mojave National Preserve highlighted the need to balance fire suppression with resource protection, particularly for desert tortoises, which are federally listed as a threatened species. These tortoises become more active on wet summer days, emerging from their burrows to drink rainwater. Fire crews are being cautious to avoid burrows and active individuals.
While most desert wildlife can move to safety when a fire approaches, park officials anticipate minimal damage to critical tortoise habitat and few affected individuals in the fire area, as tortoise observations are rare.
The York Fire serves as a reminder of the increasing threat of wildfires in the region, fueled by changing climate conditions and invasive grasses. Efforts to protect and preserve these unique ecosystems and their iconic species are crucial to ensure their survival for future generations.
CNN’s Joe Sutton and Eli Masket contributed to this report.
What impacts could the York Fire have on the biodiversity of the Mojave National Preserve and its iconic Joshua trees?
A massive fire is currently wreaking havoc in the desert regions of California and southern Nevada, posing a significant threat to a biodiverse national preserve and its iconic Joshua trees. Known as the York Fire, this blaze has already become the largest fire in California this year, scorching over 82,000 acres as of Wednesday morning. It originally started in the New York Mountains of California’s Mojave National Preserve and has since spread into Nevada.
The Joshua trees, well-known for their unique branching and spiky appearance, are particularly at risk from this fire. These trees can live for over 150 years in the Mojave Desert, but unfortunately, some have already fallen victim to the flames. Marc Peebles, a spokesperson for California’s incident management team for the fire, confirmed this unfortunate destruction.
The Mojave National Preserve, often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Southern California’s deserts, is known for its rich biodiversity. The Joshua trees are native to the Desert Southwest and far northwestern Mexico, with one of the densest Joshua tree forests located within the burn area. Cody Hanford, executive director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust, expressed concern over the potential damage to this unique ecosystem.
The full extent of the damage to the Joshua trees and other plant and animal life is currently unknown and will only be determined after the fire is extinguished. Preserve rangers will conduct comprehensive surveys from the air and on the ground to assess the full scope of the impact.
Extreme fire conditions, including fire whirls and 20-foot flames, initially caused the fire to spread rapidly, making it challenging to control. However, recent rainfall in the area has helped firefighters make progress in containing the blaze, with 30% containment reported as of Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, the long-lasting effects on the landscape are expected to be significant.
Laura Cunningham, the California director of the Western Watersheds Project, expressed concern over the restoration of the mature Joshua trees, stating that it may take a lifetime. While some of the trees are fire-resistant and may sprout or reseed if the flames were not too intense, the overall impact of the fire remains devastating.
Fire officials have noted that the Mojave National Preserve has experienced an increase in fire frequency over the past decade, attributed to wet winters and the presence of invasive grasses. These factors have contributed to the challenging fire conditions in the area.
This devastating fire not only destroys beloved Joshua Trees but also poses a significant threat to the delicate biodiversity of California’s National Preserve. Urgent measures are needed to protect and restore this invaluable ecosystem.