Natural History Wanderings

Excerpt from New York Times article Madre Fire Grows to 70,800 Acres, Prompting Evacuations in California

The fire tore across the western side of the Carrizo Plain National Monument, according to Cal Fire, burning through at least 11,500 acres of the natural preserve that is home to rare plant species and draws visitors in the spring to its wildfire blooms.

Fires can benefit wildflowers by helping native species germinate and killing off invasive plants that compete with flowers for sunlight, water and nutrients. Often vibrant displays occur in years after fires. But if a fire burns too hot, it can eliminate the seed bank of the native plants and leave an area exposed to invasions of nonnative plants.

“The hope would be that fire would benefit the landscape but we won’t know until after the fire is out,” said Philip Oviatt, a spokesman for the national monument.
— Read full article at www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/us/madre-wildfire-san-luis-obispo-california.html