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Crews Battling Wildfire In Joshua Tree National Park

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Published Date

June 11, 2023

A wildfire spotted in Joshua Tree National Park on Saturday covered more than 1,000 acres by Sunday morning/NPS

A wildfire burning in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park in California was being battled from the air and the ground Sunday. The fire, dubbed the Geology Fire for its proximity to Geology Tour Road, covered more than 1,000 acres and was 30 percent contained.

The fire was spotted around 4 p.m. Saturday and quickly spread through low vegetation. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Firefighters were working to minimize resource damage, particularly to sensitive species like the Joshua tree and the desert tortoise. Weather conditions were forecast to remain favorable, with humidity between 30-71 percent, gusty winds up to 17 mph and scattered showers.

Responding agencies include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Equipment assigned to the fire include eight fire engines, two helicopters, two heavy air tankers, one air attack unit, and two fire engines.

Geology Tour Road and Berdoo Canyon Road were closed to the public. Pinkham Canyon and Fried Liver Wash areas were closed to hiking. Backcountry camping was closed in the Lost Horse, Pleasant Valley, Twin Tanks, and Hexie Mountain zones. All other areas of the park were open for normal visitor use.

Drone use is prohibited inside the park. Drones operated outside the park are not allowed near the Geology Fire. Any drone in the sky risks the safety and effectiveness of incident air operations.

Park visitors should maintain situational awareness, recreate cautiously, and expect smoke during their visit.

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