Updated with additional information 10:50 a.m.
A fire believed to be arson ravaged the historic Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms last night; a suspect was taken into custody by the National Park Service. The fire, between the Joshua Tree National Park visitor’s center and the 29 Palms Inn, was first called in about 9:15 p.m. by a passer-by. The high winds quickly spread the flames and embers and the blaze burned several acres in just minutes. Firefighters from the National Park Service, Twentynine Palms, Wonder Valley, the Combat Center, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley responded, and additional water tenders were also requested.An additional county fire strike team with five fire engines from throughout the county, an inmate hand crew, and an additional battalion chief were also called in.
County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle said wind was a major factor, blowing at about 20 miles per hours with spotting several hundred feet downwind. Tuttle said the main fire was knocked down in about 45 minutes. While no structures were damaged in the blaze, several of the oasis’s palm trees went up in flames.
In a statement, a spokeswoman from Joshua Tree National Park said, “National Park Service staff will be conducting a site damage assessment of the burned area to determine the extent of loss to park resources. A preliminary assessment indicates possible damage to multiple natural resources, including palms and other vegetation, and wildlife, as well as potential impact to archaeological resources. No structures were damaged in the blaze. Mop-up efforts are underway this morning. The Oasis of Mara will be reopened to the public at a later date.”
Firefighters remained on scene through the night mopping up hot spots.
Rangers from the National Park Service took a suspect into custody with the assistance of Sheriff’s deputies and arrested him on suspicion of arson. The name of the suspect has not yet been released; Superintendent David Smith says the Park Service will not release the name as the investigation is still on-going.
