California’s largest wildfire of the year threatens fragile desert ecosystem

Joshua trees are unique to this region of the world and were also hit hard during August 2020’s Dome fire. Photograph: Ty O’Neil/AP

The hundreds of firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire this year in the Mojave national preserve have to work strategically to avoid disrupting a fragile ecosystem.

The York fire, which erupted last Friday, has burned through more than 125 sq miles (323.7 sq km) across the California desert toward the Nevada border.