The York Fire: Envisioning What Comes Next
Interview with Emily Willard, plant rehabilitation specialist
Photograph by Maria Volborth.
The York fire burned 93,078 acres of land (around 8,000 acres of it in Avi Kwa Ame National Monument) in July and August of 2023. It is considered the largest fire to date in the Mojave, surpassing the 43,273-acre Dome Fire in August 2020. Your Gold Beam editors recently had a chance to speak to plant rehabilitation specialist Emily Willard, who works for the Castle Mountain Mine within Castle Mountains National Monument, located adjacent to Avi Kwa Ame and the Mojave National Preserve, to find out more about what to expect in the years to come after the fire.
Gold Beam: Fire is an ecosystem catalyst, and it dramatically changes the look of a landscape. How much change is the area actually going through, versus what we see on the surface? Will the ecosystem grow back one day in the same way it was before, or will it become something new and different?
Emily: It depends on time more than any other factor. The Joshua Tree is one of the yucca species least adapted to fire, although research indicates variation; it is expected that this fire will not benefit them in the long run. Quick, low temperature fires may trigger vegetative growth in the form of "pups," rosettes that grow from the base of a scorched trunk, however, many of the Joshua Trees in this burned area suffered too much stress and will eventually expire, even though they had some green on them after the fire. The native, perennial bunch grasses have already regenerated, but whether the area will ever return to an old growth Joshua Tree woodland is unknown. Maybe in a thousand years. We can hope to see Joshua Tree and other yucca species recruitment (seedlings) within the next few decades. More immediately, we can expect to see a healthy, native ecosystem filled with perennial bunch grasses, cactus, shrubs, and wildflowers.
Gold Beam: Fire is an ecosystem catalyst, and it dramatically changes the look of a landscape. How much change is the area actually going through, versus what we see on the surface? Will the ecosystem grow back one day in the same way it was before, or will it become something new and different?
Emily: It depends on time more than any other factor. The Joshua Tree is one of the yucca species least adapted to fire, although research indicates variation; it is expected that this fire will not benefit them in the long run. Quick, low temperature fires may trigger vegetative growth in the form of "pups," rosettes that grow from the base of a scorched trunk, however, many of the Joshua Trees in this burned area suffered too much stress and will eventually expire, even though they had some green on them after the fire. The native, perennial bunch grasses have already regenerated, but whether the area will ever return to an old growth Joshua Tree woodland is unknown. Maybe in a thousand years. We can hope to see Joshua Tree and other yucca species recruitment (seedlings) within the next few decades. More immediately, we can expect to see a healthy, native ecosystem filled with perennial bunch grasses, cactus, shrubs, and wildflowers.
Gold Beam: Seeing fire reshape a place you are attached to is emotional. It’s hard to look at a burnt landscape and not feel that everything is dead. However, life does slowly return – How does this regenerative process work?
Miners at the Castle Mountain Mine watch the York Fire approaching. Photo by N. Rubio.
Emily: The blackened scenery definitely affected our mood at the mine. The greens, blues, and golds found in nature were created to be naturally calming and uplifting for us as humans. The lack of birdsong and small animal life left a noticeable vacancy that felt lonely. However, beneath the surface is a living, dormant seedbed, waiting for solar exposure. The bare ground provided this window of opportunity. The gift of rain in late August and early September 2023 helped to nurture herbaceous plant life. Many native, and non-native, plants jump at the chance to grow in bare ground situations, whether it be in a tire track, a rock fall, or a burn. These plants are called pioneer species. Their ecosystem role or "job" is to colonize open areas.
There are also species that are fire-adapted, meaning they may resprout or send out suckers (stump sprouts) after being burned, or fire-dependent, meaning their seeds require high heat to germinate. Many annuals prefer disturbance and pave the way for perennials and woody plants. So no, not everything is dead, in fact, many plants are feeling rejuvenated. A few weeks after the fire, we spotted a burned cactus at the edge of our nursery that was growing a new pad out of its charred stub; remarkable, really!
Detail from illustration by Cat Johnson.
Gold Beam: What types of plants are you seeing emerge, and when?
Emily: Twenty-four days after the fire I was surveying a burned fence when I noticed on the ground what I thought was green sand or an old, green, asphalt shingle. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the most minute plant sprouts, too tiny for me to identify. I was so excited and relieved! As a bonus, these sprouts did not appear to be invasive species like cheat grass.
In the subsequent weeks we received rain several days and nights in a row. Hopefully the El Niño weather will bring more precipitation that will keep the seed bed moist, and help injured plants grow new tissue. Heavy rains have the potential to do harm by washing away topsoil, but I believe the quick regeneration of perennials in August and September has already helped to stabilize much of the burned acreage. Some of the plants that have already regrown are Big Galleta, Blue Grama, and Pink Bush Muhly grasses, Phacelia, Desert Marigold, Mojave Aster, Brittlebush, Leafy Fleabane, various Buckwheats and Rabbitbrush, Mesquite trees, and Desert Willow (Chilopsis).
Gold Beam: How does a fire like this impact animals and birds as they look for food and shelter?
Emily: On one of the fire nights, two of our miners responding to the fire saw a hawk resting on a berm. It appeared dazed and exhausted. They said they could have reached out and caught it in their hands. This is how I expect a lot of the birds felt; causes could be smoke inhalation, diurnal species having to move at night, dehydration, hunger, heat stress, exertion, or a combination of these factors. Nesting birds would have to abandon eggs and babies, which would cause distress and affect future populations. I’m afraid that many animals were unable to outrun the York Fire. I hope that it burned quickly and cool enough not to deplete the oxygen in animal burrows; this would allow creatures like lizards, mice, badgers, and tortoises to escape the fire.
Burrowing animals dig new burrows in charred soil; the food supply is more of an issue since the habitat has been altered. Birds, especially woodpeckers, will nest in burned trees, usually after the ash has washed away, and the lack of vegetative cover may help raptors hunt in scorched areas, but I noticed an absence of raptors at the mine for roughly 2 months following the fire. Lately, I have observed hundreds of small songbirds, such as white-crowned sparrows, house finches, and juncos. They seem overjoyed with the fresh new plant life and the water in our bird ponds. Many pioneer plant species are prolific seed-producers, an adaptation which serves various ecosystem functions, like topsoil conservation, but also provides food for small mammals and birds. New, tender plants feed herbivores such as pack rats and mule deer.
Gold Beam: The Dome Fire that happened in August 2020 gives an example of a similar area in recovery. What lessons are there for us from that area, and what are we studying now to help us understand and respond to future fire events in the Mojave Desert?
Emily: The National Park Service has been planting Joshua Tree seedlings on the Cima Dome burn, but the survival rate is low. I have heard that the Dome fire burned hot, and many partially burned Joshua Trees that initially survived have since perished; if the rosettes are not completely green following a fire, the plant likely has experienced too much stress to recover. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a hydrologic survey of the York Fire for their Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) program. Federal funding for noxious weed control will be provided in support of these post-fire efforts.
At the Castle Mountain Mine, I am planning several studies on the relationship between the Joshua Tree and fire. Our mine is special in that we already have research underway with Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the UC Davis studying mycorrhizal bacteria, organisms which usually form a mutually beneficial relationship with their plant hosts. This research could expand into fire investigations; for example, how does fire affect the mycorrhizal structure and colonization on burned vs. unburned Joshua Tree woodland sites? Very exciting stuff!
According to the Fire Effects Information System of the USDA Forest Service, Joshua Tree seed germination is high following heat treatment at 190° Fahrenheit. I decided to test this myself and heat-treated two batches of seed in the oven at our on-site assay lab; I planted two batches of seed without treatment. The results were 90% germination after heat treatment and only 9% germination without heat treatment, which may indicate that fire promotes Joshua Tree sexual reproduction (seed). I will be running more heat treatment tests in the future.
I also want to explore the use of natural wildfire ash as a fertilizer for Joshua Tree seed propagation, and compare the germination rates, growth rates, and establishment of seed from burned and unburned trees. This is an exciting time for discovery, especially since we have all these resources at the mine and a greenhouse facility in which to grow!
Gold Beam: What are some of the ways that desert fires start, and some things we can do to minimize the chances of contributing to a desert wildfire?
Emily: Possible wildfire ignition sources are many, from lightning, the spark from a trailer chain on a rock, and recreational target shooting, to smoking, campfires, arson, fireworks, or the hot undercarriage of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) or vehicle. Fires may even be started from the magnification of the sun’s rays through a broken piece of glass! As far as I know, the cause of the York Fire is still undetermined.
Our desert ecosystems are especially prone to invasion by non-native annual grasses like the bromes (e.g. cheat grass) and other flammable annual weeds like tumbleweeds/prickly Russian thistle and mustards. Each state has a noxious weed list with plants that require management by law because of their detrimental effects to agriculture, wildlife, and other valuable features of our landscape and economy. Many noxious weeds are pioneer species which readily colonize disturbed areas, reproducing and dying off quickly. Due to the flammable nature of dead annual weeds, fires are more easily started. Our desert soils are easily compacted, and with little rainfall, native reclamation is difficult. Therefore, it is vital that OHV’s and vehicles remain on designated roads.
Gold Beam: We don’t usually think of the desert as a place where a wildfire can spread. What are the factors that create this opportunity? The York Fire was even larger than the Cima Fire, so it seems as if recently desert wildfires are getting larger. Is there a reason for this potential trend?
Emily: The Mojave Desert is a truly unique area with incredible plant and animal diversity. I have yet to work in a desert with more herbaceous plants in the understory than you will find in the Mojave National Preserve. Dry, dormant, or dead herbaceous plant material is the perfect fuel for a fire and creates a pathway for the flames to travel to new areas. Mature Joshua Trees often have a thick layer of dead leaf blades covering their trunks. This allows flames to climb higher and embers to blow greater distances.
High winds over the first weekend of the York Fire also contributed to its spread. A collection of different government jurisdictions in the immediate vicinity of a fire’s epicenter can make allocating fire-fighting resources complicated. Increases in fire frequency and intensity have been widely documented across the West. Causes for this include long-term and extreme drought, the mismanagement of forest stands, invasive species, and increased human-landscape interaction. Wildfire research is constantly being updated.
Gold Beam: Working at Equinox Gold Corp.’s Castle Mountain Mine, what was your experience like as the York Fire was happening?
Emily: At first, I thought the fire was exciting. I get a kick out of watching natural phenomena, like thunderstorms rolling in. Having worked for the US Forest Service in the past, there was that feeling that I describe as adrenalized communal spirit that you often get during the fire season. I think it is the anticipation of a fast-paced group effort and the opportunity to do something great as a team. Everyone was outside watching the smoke plume.
We were not evacuated but I did get a call from my boss on that Sunday recommending that I not come in to work on Tuesday due to the poor air quality. I anxiously checked the online fire maps in the meantime. Professionally trained fire fighters did not use Equinox equipment to fight the fire, but Equinox had our own volunteer fire fighters, of whom we are very proud. Our miners diligently combatted the flames with our water trucks and hand tools. Two of our Process Plant Operators, Phil Hoth and Nick Rubio, saved our greenhouse, North Nursery, and administration complex with shovels and fire extinguishers on the night of July 29th. They are my heroes!
The Castle Mountain Mine not only reported the York Fire, but we also played an integral part in preventing it from spreading eastward, despite our limited water resources. We did lose approximately 300 acres to the fire, but no structures were damaged, or employees harmed. We wish that we had been permitted to drive our water trucks, which hold a combined 12,000 gallons, onto the Preserve to put out the initial blaze in Caruthers Canyon before it had a chance to spread and destroy our beloved old growth Joshua Tree Forest.
Gold Beam: Thanks to everyone at the Castle Mountain Mine for their service. Are there things we can do to help the plants, animals, and ecosystem as a whole recover from the York Fire? What should we be doing, avoid doing, or be aware of that pertains to this landscape?
Emily: As I touched on earlier, it is imperative that all motorized vehicles remain on designated roads and do not forge new trails. Please check your wheel wells and undercarriages for debris that may ignite or spread weed seeds before recreating on public lands. Ensure that trailer chains do not drag on the ground.
Keep an eye out for any invasive species on public lands and alert your public land managers to their locations; GPS coordinates and photographs are especially helpful. Hand-pulling Sahara mustard is a quick fix. Volunteer to assist with weed control and revegetation efforts on your public lands; volunteers have accomplished so much!
Thoroughly douse your campfires with water before leaving a camp site, follow fire restrictions, do not litter, and pick up trash when you can. Animal populations are often linked across wide areas, especially migrating bird species, so any changes made at home, even if you are a good distance away from your nearest public land, will help wildlife recover.
Do your research on landscape plants and try to select plant species that are native, or if non-native, are not invasive and provide food and nectar to wildlife. Control weedy and invasive species in your own backyard and contact your local government officials about weed control in your town or city. Efforts to control weeds in populated areas will decrease their spread into wilderness. Consider venturing into public lands on foot or on horseback, rather than on motorized transportation (always go prepared). Be respectful of wildlife and observe them at a safe distance to minimize stress. We can gain so much by quietly watching animals going about their daily routines!
Gold Beam: What is your dream for this landscape’s recovery, your vision for how it happens, what we learn, and how people are involved?
Emily: I am already admiring the fresh regrowth of the perennial grasses and I am amazed by the wildflowers and grasses that have grown, flowered, and seeded for the second time this year! I can’t wait to unravel the mysteries of Joshua Tree regeneration, some of which will answer very practical questions relating to conservation and reclamation efforts, with and without fire. My dream for this landscape would be minimal noxious weed invasion and erosion, the return of reptiles, and an increase in desert tortoises. It would be awesome to find baby Joshua Trees! I hope that folks will continue to enjoy nature and learn about the landscape while being mindful of their footprint and tire tracks.