Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Wildfire History

Wildfire History

Wildfires in Red Rock, especially those in the loop area, allow visitors to see both the damage caused by these events as well as the ability of the desert to heal itself over time.

While wildfires are nothing new to the Red Rock Area, recent fires seemed to have been in part fueled by the thick growth of non-native red brome and cheat grasses. They provide fuel for fires and also compete with the native plants in the area for resources. So far there have been no plans to control these weeds, as control methods such as using herbicides can be both costly and also damaging to the native plants.

Several significant wildfires have burned within the Red Rock Canyon NCA in recent years, including:

• 1998 a fire occurred in the loop area. By 2003 regrowth made it difficult to find the burn area.
• June 25, 2005 the Goodsprings fire at over 31,600 acres (12,800 ha), burned into Red Rock NCA's southern area.
• July 22, 2005 lighting caused 800 acres (320 ha) fire in the loop area.
• September 6, 2006 yet another fire was started by lightning in the loop near the visitor's center and burned around 1,500 acres (610 ha).