The Southwest's Famous Cacti Are in Trouble

Saguaro at Danger From Wildfire

Saguaro cacti at sunrise. Photo: Charlie Riedel (AP)

Saguaros are not adapted to withstand wildfire, and these blazes have been devastating to the cacti. The Bighorn Fire, which was sparked by lightning and burned nearly 120,000 acres between June and July 2020, killed an estimated 2,000 cacti.

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