Fire restrictions are in effect for Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park staff have announced fire restrictions for the summer season, in effect as of Tuesday (June 15).
They cite hot, dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger as the reason for the restrictions.
Park staff says that the following activities are prohibited under fire restrictions:
- Wood-burning and charcoal fires
- Campfires
- Warming fires
- Wood-burning camp stoves
- Charcoal grills
- Smoking within 10 feet of vegetation
Fireworks, explosives, and any other incendiary devices are always prohibited on public lands.
Acceptable “warming devices” include liquid gas devices such as stoves, lanterns, and heating devices and are permitted in areas free of flammable materials within three feet of the device.
The restrictions will remain in effect through October 1, 2026, unless park leadership determines otherwise. The restrictions apply throughout Joshua Tree National Park, including all campgrounds, backcountry sites, and picnic areas.
Historically, fires in this area of the Mojave Desert were limited in extent because shrubs and trees are widely spaced and grasses are not abundant. However, Park staff says human activities and the spread of non-native invasive grasses have contributed to an increase in the frequency and size of wildfires.
Previously reported:
