News Release:
Arson Closes Historic Area in Joshua Tree National Park
NPS Updates The Public On The Fire Started By A 26-Year Old Man At Joshua Tree Park Which Burned Vegetation Near The Oasis Visitor Center & Park Headquarters, Outside Palm Springs, CA.
The National Park Service (NPS) reports that the Oasis of Mara, one of Joshua Tree’s most historic areas, has been damaged by fire and is currently closed to the public. Three palm trees and other vegetation were burned in a 2.5 acre area near the Joshua Tree Oasis Visitor Center and Park Headquarters, outside Palm Springs, CA. No buildings were destroyed, but archeological assets may affected. The arsonist, a 26-year-old man, was arrested at the scene of the fire, and admitted to starting the fire with a cigarette lighter, according to a federal criminal complaint. Park personnel are assessing the damage and will reopen the area at a future date.
The Oasis of Mara, the cornerstone of Joshua Tree, has been inhabited for centuries. Originally the Serrano people settled here, naming it Mara, meaning “place of little springs and much grass” in their language. According to their lore, a medicine man told them it would be a good place to live and to plant a palm tree every time a baby boy was born. The Serrano planted 29 palm trees during their first year there, giving rise to the name, Twentynine Palms, also the name of the closest town. Some 140,000 people visit the Oasis Visitor Center annually for information about the park’s natural and human history. The Oasis of Mara nature trail is a highlight of most visits.
For the complete press release by the NPS, click here.