Fire History of Tonto NM

Tonto National Monument has had at least 16 recorded fires since the 1940’s. Many of these fires were modest in size, burning less than 2 acres of land. The largest was the 2019 Woodbury Fire that burned 88% of the Monument and kept the area closed to visitors for over 2 months.

Unlike other ecosystems, the Sonoran Desert, including Tonto National Monument, did not adapt with large scale wildland fire present. Thus, plants and animals alike developed few defenses against the blaze. Although some plants are able to begin to regrow immediately after a fire, evidence of its presence will persist for extended periods of time.

Visit the NPS fire website to learn more about fires in National Parks.

 

Smoke above the visitor center in 1964.

Tom Swan