Joshua trees burn, massive wildfire threatens to forever alter Mojave Desert

As firefighters battle a massive and growing wildfire in the eastern Mojave Desert, the impact on the landscape is expected to be significant and irreversible, causing habitat loss and changes that will have long-lasting effects.

“We’ve witnessed the extensive destruction of native vegetation,” said Debra Hughson, deputy superintendent for the Mojave National Preserve. “A substantial amount of pinyon pines, junipers, and Joshua trees are likely gone forever.”

The largest wildfire in California this year has already consumed over 80,000 acres in the desert near the Nevada border, predominantly within the national preserve. While firefighters have made progress in containing the blaze, concerns remain about the long-term recovery of the fragile ecosystem.

“Recovery is a challenging concept in the desert due to the ongoing global changes,” Hughson explained. It is unlikely that the scorched forests will fully regenerate, and they are expected to be replaced by smaller shrubs and grasses.

Joshua trees, a unique and vulnerable species found only in the Mojave Desert, are especially susceptible to fire due to their lack of natural defense mechanisms.

“Estimating the number of burned Joshua trees will be difficult, but we know there were significant losses,” said Hughson.

More than 200 rare plant species inhabit the national preserve, and assessing the fire’s impact on these plants will take time.

As the fire moves towards southern Nevada, concerns arise about the potential harm to sensitive plant and animal species in the area. The blaze has already reached the Avi Kwa Ame, or Spirit Mountain, National Monument, a newly designated protected area.

“The fire behavior is extreme and uncertain,” Hughson expressed worry. The immediate risks to southern Nevada are unknown, but the forest housing Nevada’s largest known Joshua tree population is not far from the fire’s path.

Firefighters made significant progress in containing the blaze after a night of reduced fire activity and a brief period of rain. However, the fire is not completely extinguished.

The fire, which started in the Mojave National Preserve, had been burning uncontrolled before containment efforts began.

Crews continue battling the flames in sweltering heat, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, strong winds, and low visibility. The recent monsoonal influence has brought both gusty winds and beneficial moisture, which can fuel the fire.

The fire has expanded by approximately 3,000 acres since Monday, primarily in the eastern part of the national preserve and into Nevada.

Some areas affected by this wildfire were previously burned in 2005 by the Hackberry Complex fire, which resulted in long-lasting damage to the forests. Efforts to replant and revitalize those areas are still ongoing.

The preservation of habitat for white firs and Thorne’s buckwheat, unique to the Fourth of July Canyon, was a concern for the national preserve, but fortunately, those areas were spared. The fire also avoided the Ivanpah Valley, which is crucial habitat for the threatened desert tortoise.

Historic sites of first homesteaders and miners in the area are believed to be among the losses caused by the fire.

Fire crews are collaborating with National Park Service experts to minimize damage to critical natural resources.

Experts attribute the occurrence of large wildfires in California’s deserts to the unusually wet winter and cool spring, which resulted in the proliferation of invasive grasses and underbrush. These provide ample fuel for fires as they dry out during the hot summer months. Prior to the fire, park officials had already warned of extreme fire risk and implemented a ban on open flames in the desert.

This destructive cycle is expected to worsen after the York fire.

“These kinds of fires destroy native vegetation,” Hughson explained. “Disturbed areas become vulnerable to weed invasion.”

Around 400 personnel are engaged in firefighting efforts, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire began on private land within the preserve.

In addition to the Mojave Desert wildfire, the Bonny fire in Riverside County has resulted in evacuations. The fire is currently at 2,300 acres with 40% containment.

2023 Los Angeles Times.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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