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Park officials survey damage to iconic Joshua trees amidst latest wildfire
A fire that started near Eureka Peak, shown here on a clear day, is threatening Joshua trees.
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Lian Law
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Courtesy National Park Service
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Crews at Joshua Tree National Park have begun to survey damages to its namesake plant in the wake of the latest wildfire that has burned more about 200 acres in an area known as a "refuge" of sorts for the tree.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Eureka Fire is at 40% contained, according to fire authorities.
The fire broke out Friday at around noon in the Covington Flats area of the park.
"This area of Covington Flats is a place where we hope is a kind of last refuge for our Joshua trees because of higher elevation," said park spokesperson Meg Rockwell. "It's an area that Joshua trees seem to really prosper."
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As temperatures climb from changing climates, Joshua trees have been retreating to higher elevation areas, Rockwell said, where there's more rainfall and cooler temperatures.
Those areas, like Covington Flats, are places where the park has worked to clear up fire fuels to try to protect Joshua trees, which do not recover well from fire damage.
"Joshua trees do not like fire. They do not need fire. They do not want fire," Rockwell said. "When the ground area and the Joshua tree itself burns, it will scar and die. And it takes a very long time for the ground to recover for Joshua trees to then bloom."
Friday's fire started near Eureka Peak, according to Rockwell, a spot sought out by visitors for views of sunsets and bigger Joshua trees that the area is known for.
Rockwell said there is damage to sections of the Joshua tree forest in the area. She said park crews are out today to begin to assess the extent.
The fire is under investigation.
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