Wildland Fire

Fire slowly backs downslope in the fire-adapted Ponderosa Pine forest of the Rincon Mountains

NPS

When most people think about Saguaro National Park, they think of the desert, and the concept of fire seems totally foreign. Actually, Saguaro National Park is in two separate worlds in terms of fire. In the desert, below about 4,500 feet elevation, historically fire played almost no role. The sparse grasses and forbs in the desert rarely allowed fire to spread.

However, as elevation increases, temperatures moderate and rainfall increases. Above about 4,500 feet grasses and forbs increase in abundance, eventually creating continuous ground cover that can support fire spread.

Fire Updates

Fire Management Program

Natural Role of Fire

The Science Behind Fire Management

Fire Stories

Fire Employment

 

Prescribed Fire

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Prescribed fires are ignited by Park staff to meet specific objectives. The burns are thoroughly planned and carefully executed under specified conditions. Much of our prescribed burning is done to reduce vegetation that fuels fires, and to return fire to areas where fire had been suppressed in the past.

Managing Wildfire

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Fire management at Saguaro is a complex art, ranging from suppression in the cactus forest to careful management in the high country woodlands.