Devastating Wildfire Consumes Iconic Joshua Trees in Mojave Desert

The York Fire, California's largest fire of the year, has burned over 82,000 acres in the Mojave Desert, threatening and destroying groves of iconic Joshua trees. The fire has caused significant damage to the biodiverse Mojave National Preserve, which is home to one of the densest Joshua tree forests. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but conservationists fear the loss of millions of Joshua trees. Firefighters have made progress in containing the fire, but the landscape will take a long time to recover. The fire's frequency in the area has increased in recent years due to wet winters and invasive grasses.