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Coronado National Forest makes slow recovery 3 years since Bighorn Fire

Three years ago, a wildfire burned nearly 120,000 acres through the Coronado National Forest. Now, the forest is slowly recovering from the damage caused by the blaze. 

Starr Farrell is the public affairs officer with the forest.

“We’re seeing a large regrowth happening on the mountainside. We’re seeing those small shrubs, small trees are starting to come back in and fill in on the Santa Catalina," she said.

She said flash flooding and ground disturbances were issues after the fire had been put out. Prescribed burns have contributed to regeneration in the forest.

The Santa Catalina Mountains have sprouted a variety of vegetation ranging from juniper to saguaro cacti.

Ignacio Ventura is a reporter for KJZZ. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in news media and society.