Joshua Tree National Park Rangers have instituted a fire ban within the boundaries of the Park as a protection against potential wildfires. As the first major action of newly named park Superintendent Jane Rodgers, the new restriction includes all campgrounds, backcountry sites, and residential areas inside park boundaries.
The restriction includes wood burning or charcoal fires, including campfires and charcoal barbecues, as well as smoking within 10 feet of vegetation and the use of generators within three feet of vegetation.
These restrictions will remain in place until October 1 or park managers have determined that the wildfire danger levels have subsided.
Current conditions inside the park, specifically the proliferation of dry grass and excessively hot weather, are extremely conducive to wildfires. A wildfire in Mojave National Preserve is still burning across more than 90,000 acres, and park rangers hope these restrictions prevent a similar event in Joshua Tree National Park.
