Tag: fire

90 Fire: Wildfire damage on the ranch road. This is one of my favorite hiking spots at San Pedro House. This track extends to the north to Government Draw and Murray Springs. The fire is completely contained, but trails are still closed. It will be interesting to see how this unique grassland/riparian ecosystem recovers—or not. The cottonwood gallery along the river here is especially beautiful, open and arched like a cathedral’s vaulted ceiling, and I’m afraid the trees will not return in my lifetime. 

90 Fire: Composite panorama of burned grassland and cottonwoods on the bank of the San Pedro River in Cochise County, Arizona. 

The fire began on July 12, and was still smoldering

to the north

a week later  when this photo was taken. About 215 acres (87 ha) burned. The damage seen here is just north of the AZ Highway 90 bridge over the San Pedro. San Pedro House and trails to the south of the highway were not affected. 

Damage from the 2009 Lost Horse Mine fire at Joshua Tree National Park. No cause was ever determined for this fire, which destroyed 450 acres (180 ha) of delicate desert habitat. It will likely be decades before the hopsages and yuccas that cover the lower slopes re-establish on the upper hillside. Because of the sensitivity of the habitat Joshua Tree National Park observes a mandate to suppress all fires whenever practicable. 

Damage from the 2009 Lost Horse Mine fire at Joshua Tree National Park. No cause was ever determined for this fire, which destroyed 450 acres (180 ha) of delicate desert habitat. It will likely be decades before the hopsages and yuccas that cover the lower slopes re-establish on the upper hillside. Because of the sensitivity of the habitat Joshua Tree National Park observes a mandate to suppress all fires whenever practicable.