In mid-August 2020, a lightning strike ignited what would become a ferocious 43,273-acre wildfire that burned through the Joshua tree woodland of Cima Dome, California. Snakes, lizards, squirrels and rabbits fled. Ranch buildings, water tanks and troughs burned. Cactuses, shrubs and grasses disintegrated. There was a small fire team on site, but most resources were committed to more-populated areas, where other fires raged. About 1.3 million Joshua trees were destroyed.
Reports suggest if
