Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Heritage Fire Damages Mojave Desert Conservation Site, Leaving Vulnerable Wildlife Exposed
The full scope of the damage caused by the Heritage Fire is still unclear, but Cody Hanford of the Mojave Desert Land Trust estimates at least 50% of the trees that came into contact with the blaze are dead or will die.
(
Thomas Eagan
/
The Mojave Desert Land Trust
)
A riparian conservation area in the Mojave Desert has been damaged by the Heritage Fire, which has burned about 500 acres near Victorville, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
While the fire is now about 95% contained, the full scope of the damage at Palisades Ranch is unclear.
What was once a river shielded by a forest in the middle of the desert is now exposed, leaving around 40 special-status wildlife species, including beavers, birds, and other animals, vulnerable to trespassers and invasive species.
That's a major concern for Cody Hanford, co-executive director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust.
Support for LAist comes from
"This time of year is nesting season for birds," he said. "So birds like the Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, the Least Bell's Vireo and the Lucy's warbler are really important — federally threatened — birds that depend on the area, and this was a really difficult time for them to have to flee a fire."
Hanford estimates about 50% of the trees that came into contact with the fire are dead.
A news release from the trust notes:
Very few records exist for some of the species recorded in this area, indicating they are at the limits of their normal ranges.
(
Amy Langston (Courtesy Mojave Desert Land Trust)
/
Mojave Desert Land Trust
)
(
Amy Langston (Courtesy Mojave Desert Land Trust)
/
Courtesy Mojave Desert Land Trust
)
Still, there's a glimmer of hope, Hanford said. The trust and local agencies can learn more about fire recovery, and the fire also cleared out a lot of invasive species on the ranch.
Support for LAist comes from
"Riparian systems themselves are resilient, and over time, they can come back," he said. "As long as we do no harm to them and give them an opportunity."
(
Courtesy Mojave Desert Land Trust
)
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Heavy rain is expected to fall in the L.A. area between tonight and Thursday. So take your poncho if you're headed to Dodger Stadium. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist