This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Joshua Tree Fire Fully Contained, Affected Area Closed to Visitors through September

The area affected by the fire will be closed until Sept. 30, Zarki said, for visitors' safety and to allow the area to recover.

A fire that broke out in Joshua Tree National Park last weekend blackened 273 acres of brush before being fully contained, a park spokesman said today.

Lightning from a summer thunderstorm sparked the blaze, dubbed the Quail Fire, on Sunday afternoon about 3 1/2 miles northwest of the Keys View scenic overlook, according to park spokesman Joe Zarki.

The blaze, which wasn't 100 percent contained until Thursday afternoon, burned hillsides covered with pinyon pine, juniper and Joshua trees, but no structures were damaged, Zarki said.

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The area affected by the fire will be closed until Sept. 30, Zarki said, for visitors' safety and to allow the area to recover.

Except for the area around the fire, all park roads and visitor facilities were open today, Zarki said.

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

More information is on the park's website, www.nps.gov/jotr and the park's Twitter and Facebook pages.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.