Joshua tree national park fire destroys 1,000 iconic trees in climate-safe haven

A wildfire that swept through Joshua Tree National Park during the federal government shutdown last fall has dealt a significant blow to one of the desert’s most climate-resilient ecosystems. The blaze consumed 72 acres and destroyed approximately 1,000 of the park’s namesake Joshua trees—a devastating loss in an area scientists considered a crucial refuge as climate change intensifies.

The fire struck near Black Rock Campground, home to “some of the most robust and healthy Joshua tree forests in Joshua Tree National Park,” according to Mark Butler, the park’s former superintendent. This higher-elevation area’s cooler temperatures had made it a prime sanctuary for the species as the Mojave Desert grows increasingly hot and dry. The timing couldn’t be worse for these remarkable plants, which face mounting pressures from habitat loss and extreme weather.

Joshua trees are ecological linchpins in the Mojave Desert, providing essential food and shelter for numerous wildlife species. However, their survival strategy makes them particularly vulnerable to rapid environmental changes. The trees can take up to 70 years to reach sexual maturity and depend entirely on a single pollinator—the yucca moth—which is also struggling with climate stress. While adult Joshua trees can withstand drought conditions, young trees are far more susceptible to heat, drought, and predation.

Despite their iconic status and ecological importance, Joshua trees currently have no federal protection outside national parks and are listed as “least concern” on the IUCN Red List—a classification that may need urgent reconsideration as climate pressures intensify.