A Joshua Tree man who flicked a cigarette butt into drying vegetation caused a brush fire that burned 155 acres of prized conservation land in Joshua Tree Monday.
Firefighters were called about 11:30 a.m. to a 623-acre section of desert owned by the Mojave Desert Land Trust just west of the Joshua Tree cemetery, on Highway 62 east of La Contenta Road.
Strong, gusty winds caused the fire to spread rapidly; within 30 minutes, it had burned 80 acres. By 4 p.m., it had increased to 155 acres. The wildfire was contained by Highway 62 to the north, Alta Loma to the south, and La Contenta to the west. Deputies say that Michael Smith, 43, admitted he accidentally caused the fire by flicking a lit cigarette butt into the dry brush while on a hike. Smith said he attempted to put out the fire but was unsuccessful; he then fled the scene. Sheriff’s Aviation assisted and conducted an aerial search for Smith. Michael Smith was located and arrested for investigation of unlawfully causing a fire, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $25,000.
In total, 76 fire personnel—from San Bernardino County, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Combat Center—responded with 11 fire engines, two water tenders, and two bulldozers to fight the fire. Traffic on Highway 62 was diverted onto Alta Loma for several hours.
A bulldozer was used to improve access for fire equipment along the eastern boundary of the parcel. Fire crews remained at the site overnight putting out all embers and soaking an additional 100 ft boundary around the burn site to prevent sparks or embers from igniting a fire on adjacent areas. The section of property featured thousands of Joshua trees and other native plants, as well as desert tortoises, burrowing owls, desert kit foxes, and badgers.
