Protected wildlife habitat impacted by Ranch Fire

STATEMENT
For immediate release
June 11, 2025
Contact: Jessica Dacey, Director of Communications
Phone: 760-366-5440, Email: jessica@mdlt.org  

Protected wildlife habitat impacted by Ranch Fire  

A quarter of a 595-acre nature preserve protecting desert springs and a variety of flora and fauna has been impacted by the Ranch Fire in San Bernardino County. Approximately 145 acres of the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Rock Springs Ranch Preserve is within the burn zone.  

The property was acquired by the Mojave Desert Land Trust in 2019 in partnership with the Trust for Public Land and the California National Resources Agency at a time when it was at risk of development and degradation from unauthorized off-highway vehicle use. This remarkable ecotone provides wildlife and flora connectivity to adjacent Juniper Flats National Conservation Lands, which are managed by the Bureau of Land Management.  

At almost 4,000 ft above sea level, the preserve lies in the transition zone between the Apple Valley desert floor and the San Bernardino Mountains. This largely undeveloped property is dominated by chaparral, California juniper, and microphyll woodland. Three natural springs traverse portions of the land. The preserve further enhances the conservation values of the Juniper Flats National Conservational Lands, a beautiful natural area loved by local residents. 

Horned lizards, red breasted sapsuckers, jackrabbits, and hawks have been seen on the land. It is also home to many species of wildflowers including poppies, desert mariposa lily, desert hyacinth and Grape Soda lupine. Bird species and migratory species such as mule deer depend on the greater Juniper Flats area as a wildlife linkage corridor. Juniper Flats is also critical habitat for several rare, threatened, and endangered species such as the gray vireo and Arroyo toad.  

Community volunteers recently cleared around eight acres of invasive species and trimmed overgrown vegetation from the eastern side of the preserve, which MDLT hopes will have reduced the fire spread. Red brome and cheatgrass were removed near structures. Invasives species outcompete native species and increase the risk of wildfire in the desert ecosystem, providing dry fuel for fires. 

The fire had burned 4,204 acres and was 10% contained as of 9am on Wednesday June 11. It is estimated to have started approximately 0.75 miles south of the Rock Springs Ranch Preserve. Our neighbors have helped us coordinate with fire crews to make sure crews had access to the land and to wells to assist in fighting the flames in the area.  

“We are very saddened to learn of the devastating and fast-moving Ranch Fire. The blaze has impacted  significant ecological habitat at our Rock Spring Ranch Preserve. We believe wildlife will have been affected, notably as the site includes several springs which run between the preserve and neighboring Juniper Flats National Conservation Lands. MDLT is closely monitoring the situation as it develops and working with the authorities and our partner organizations. We will fully assess the fire’s impact to the preserve once the area has been declared safe. Our thoughts are with the many neighbors and residents who are under evacuation orders. We extend our deep gratitude to all the first responders and to the Unified Command with Cal Fire, San Bernardino Unit, San Bernardino County Fire, Apple Valley Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.” – Sarah Bliss, Director of Community Conservation Initiatives, Mojave Desert Land Trust 

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Since its founding in 2006, MDLT has conserved over 125,000 acres, conveying more tracts of land to the National Park Service than any other nonprofit. MDLT established a conservation seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species, which today houses over 900 seed collections. MDLT operates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which has grown over 120,000 native plants for restoration projects and community landscaping. MDLT educates and advocates for the conservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work.