BushBuddy in the desert

I don't have any experience with the Bushbuddy stove, however as a resident of southern New Mexico I'm pretty familiar with Chihuahuan desert foliage. Depending on where you are, mesquite and creosote are 2 common species of plants that dominate much of the desert southwest, this should provide sufficient material for small fires suitable for boiling water. The beauty of the desert is we have all this sun, which results in a lot of dry lifeless organic material. Juniper is a higher desert elevation plant which is common in much of the desert southwest, the bark and material that collects seasonally at the foot of the tree would likely provide enough kindling for a Bushbuddy fire. Yucca is common, at least in southern NM, and when hiking in the desert you come across many dead patches, these too can provide suitable material for a fire.

+1 on eugene's post. i live in the same town.

where specifically are you concerned about? you should be able to find stuff to burn almost anywhere with a few execptions. some of the organic material may burn faster that pine which would take more attention because you would have to feed the fire faster. some of the foilage in the desert is meant to hold lots of water, i.e. yucca, and when dry is very light and porous reslting in fast burning. but with a watchful eye you should be able to find good material.

I live in Southern California about 30 minutes east from the PCT's southern most point. The desert here has plenty of dry woodsy type plants to support someone using the BushBuddy. I believe the part the PCT runs through is actually called chapparal and has plenty of tinder, kindling and fuel.

I should also add that certain parts of this area ( Anza Borego ) are very fragile and the wood you take out will not be replced for tentwenty plus years. So please keep this in mind when in the desert areas below the chaparral.

Hey Dustin, if you don't mind me asking, where about do you live. I'm about 30 minutes east of the PCT in Lakeside.

I was wondering how "woody" the wood needed to be to work. In the ever pressing need to survive in a harsh environment, desert plants have evolved with a lot less cellulose in their structure that plants in more temperate/wetter environments.

Thanks for the feedback.

In my experience there is often something to burn that would work fine in a BushBuddy that lives in the desert. The bigger question has to do with the point that Dustin F brought up. The decision to have fires in the desert is more ethically complex than decisions made in the mountains. In leave no trace terms there are less fuels to go around in the environment and users are more apt to impact and area by either denuding it of fuel for other users or affect the ability of the environment to recover from use.

I live in El Centro. I used to live in Lakside though, years ago. :)

One thing you may wish to do, depending on whereabouts you'll be looking for fuel, is to learn to recognise euphorbias and then avoid them. There have been cases of people dying due to making cooking fires from some of these plants; and although it might not be quite in the same league using them as stove fuel they're best left alone.

In most deserts, yes you should be able to find plenty of fuel for a BushBuddy.

However, since deserts are 'sensitive' enviornments it is not recommended. Most areas only allow it if you bring your own wood.