A fire lit in the Covington Apartments area of ​​Joshua Tree National Park on Friday afternoon, burning 165 acres and several Joshua trees in the area that an expert said was crucial for the species to come in a warm climate.

National Park spokesman Donovan Smith confirmed that multiple Joshua trees have been burned, but said there are no official damage counts yet. He said several desert plants may have burned given the area of ​​the fire.

San Bernardino County fire officials said no structure was threatened.

The Covington Apartments area (located to the northwest of the park) is known as a "climate refuge" and is located at a slightly higher altitude, which brings cooler temperatures and more rainfall. Experts say these slight differences may be enough to keep the Joshua tree alive and reproduce, even in the hotter, drier climates expected in the coming decades.

“The area is crucial for the long-term survival of the Joshua tree,” said Parker spokesman Meg Rockwell. “This is the last refuge.”

The iconic trees are not suitable for wildfires, which means any fire damage can be devastating.

The Eureka fire was reportedly around noon Friday, and as of 2:30 pm, the park reported temperatures at about 85 degrees Friday, with wind gusts at about 20 mph in the area. Rockwell said additional firefighters from the Department of Land Administration and San Bernardino County were asked to assist in the fire exchange.

The Joshua Tree cherishes its unique outline and its unique role as a key to the Mojave Desert ecosystem. Scientists and environmental advocates say this iconic meat quality is losing its right habitat in a light clip due to climate change, wildfires and deterioration in development.

While the Joshua tree is currently ubiquitous, climate models show that by the end of the century, there are not many suitable habitats. That's why protecting an area like Covington Apartments is so important, Rockwell said.

However, experts also found that many of these cool, high-altitude areas (more hospitality to Joshua trees) were also susceptible to wildfires, as they tend to be densely vegetated. Since 2020, two large wildfires have killed Joshua trees in and around Mojave National Reserve.

Times worker Alex Wigglesworth contributed to the report.