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"Dome Fire" Burning Across Thousands Of Acres Of Mojave National Preserve

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Published Date

August 17, 2020
A lightning-sparked blaze had burned more than 40,000 acres of Mojave National Preserve/San Bernardino County Fire

A lightning-sparked blaze had burned more than 40,000 acres of Mojave National Preserve/San Bernardino County Fire Protection

More than 40,000 acres, including landscapes studded with iconic Joshua trees, have burned at Mojave National Preserve in California since the blaze was sparked by lightning.

The rapidly growing "Dome Fire" -- it was estimated at 5,000+ acres Sunday after being ignited by lightning Saturday -- was being fought by ground crews aided by swirling dumps of pink-colored fire retardent from air tankers. Gusting winds and temperatures above 100 degrees hampered firefighting efforts.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the fire was burning through "(B)rush and tall grass. Extreme fire behavior with running, flanking, and wind-driven runs. Structures, energy and railroad infrastructure threatened." The area contains what has been described as the world's greatest concentration of Joshua trees.

"Dome Fire is now at 40,000 acres," staff at Mojave said Monday morning. "Cima Road, Kelso-Cima Road, Morningstar Road, and Ivanpah Road are closed. Teutonia Peak trail and campsites nearby are closed. Additional crews are working on the ground and in the air today."

By Monday afternoon the acreage burned was pegged at more than 42,000 acres, according to a report in the Palm Springs Desert Sun.

"Hot temperatures and gusty winds have been causing long-range spotting and rapid rates of spread," tweeted the Southern California Air Operations staff.

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Comments

Submitted by tomp2 on August 17, 2020 - 10:39pm.

still no info on inciweb, but they do have a fire perimeter if you zoom teh map in far enough.  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

and the same for calfire fire.ca.gov/incidents but they cross-link fire info depending on which agency is the lead


Submitted by James M. Smith on August 18, 2020 - 3:18pm.

My main hobby is growing trees from seed.  I live in Fairbanks, Alaska.  I have a one foot tall Joshua Tree growing in my kitchen window.  Send me 100 Joshua Tree seeds and I will grow them for you.  I can deliver them in one year.  I'm sure there are other tree growers who could grow 100 trees too.  Please put me in touch with other like-minded individuals.  Thank you.

James M. Smith

Stewardship Forester, Fairbanks, Alaska

(907) 687-0321

 


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