Park rangers at Joshua Tree National Park announce fire restrictions

Joshua Tree National Park will be implementing fire restrictions beginning on Aug. 8. The restrictions will involve the entirety of the park due to severely hot and dry weather conditions.

Fire restrictions will prohibit the following:

1. Wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques. The use of liquid petroleum or LPG-fueled devices that can be turned on and off, such as stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are allowed if used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.  
2. Smoking within 10 feet of vegetation.
3. The use of generators restricted to only units with approved spark arrestors at least 3 feet or more on all sides of flammable materials like grass.
4. Fireworks, explosives, and any other incendiary devices are always prohibited on public lands.

Park rangers are asking the public to be responsible and to bring camp stoves if they are planning to cook on campgrounds. These fire restrictions will reduce the risk of fire, to ensure public health and safety, and to protect resources during this season.

The Mojave National Preserve, in close association with Joshua Tree, recently experienced the York Fire which burned over 90,000 acres of land.

Restrictions will be in place until October 1 or until park managers have determined that fire danger levels have subsided. For more information on Joshua Tree National Park's restrictions, visit http://www.fire.ca.gov/ or https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.