Updated 5:30 p.m. with additional information.
A vegetation fire near the Joshua Tree cemetery spread rapidly to more 155 acres Monday. Firefighters were called to the area of Highway 62 and Memorial Drive about 11:30 a.m. for the fire. Gusty winds caused problems for firefighters, as the fire increased in size from about 5 acres to 80 acres in 30 minutes. Firefighters were able to stop the forward spread of the fire by about 4 p.m., at which time the area burned by the fire was estimated at about 155 acres. San Bernardino County firefighters asked for additional resources of brush engines, water tenders, a bulldozer, and hand crews to contain the wild fire, as well as support from Joshua Tree National Park, the Combat Center, and Calfire. No structures were threatened and Highway 62 kept the fire from spreading to the north. Thick smoke across the highway caused the California Highway Patrol to detour traffic on the highway to Alta Loma Road. Fire crews are expected to be at the scene throughout the night making sure all hot spots are out.
Courtesy photo
