Without a doubt, the greatest threat to pinyon in City of Rocks is wildfire. According to Fire History of City of Rocks National Reserve from 1926 to 2005, by Dr. Lesley Morris, more acres burned within City of Rocks in just two years (1999-2000) than all other fires combined throughout the recorded history of the reserve. In September 1999, 565 acres burned mostly north of the Twin Sisters Road and Juniper Group Camp. The juniper skeletons still dominate the landscape. The fire was hot enough to consume most of the pine, branches and trunk alike. In August 2000, lightning set off a firestorm that ultimately burned 17,605 acres of pinyon-juniper woodlands, of which 2,090 acres were scorched within the reserve. At times and in places this fire was so hot, that it burned both the pinyon and juniper completely to the ground, licked up the soil, and to this day left mostly cheatgrass. Cheatgrass is an invasive plant from Europe that is extremely difficult to eradicate, has little wildlife value, and serves as tender for summer and fall wildfires.
Today, fire conditions and fuels remain the same or worse, just waiting for the next lightning storm, unmanaged campfire, or careless cigarette. But there is good news. Today’s reconnaissance of the 1999 fire revealed that pinyon are regenerating away from islands of unburned woodland (see photos). The 2000 fire reveals very little if any regeneration. But there still may be reason for hope. The regeneration that is taking place in the 1999 fire may be aided by pinyon jays and Clark’s nutcrackers that take the nuts and stash them in the ground. Food stashes not eaten in a given year may germinate and take root. This would explain why a few young pinyon pines are growing 50 to 60 yards away from unburned islands of vegetation. In post 8 we will discuss a few of the many wildlife species that are dependent on the survival of the pinyon-juniper woodland.
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November 18, 2019
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Last updated: February 13, 2020