Progress Made on Keys Fire

Firefighters from multiple agencies continue to work the Keys Incident Fire that ignited on Friday. As of 10 a.m., the fire had grown to 110 acres with Incident Commander Chuck Heard reporting 50% containment. There is no estimate at this time for when full containment will be achieved.

Approximately 20 firefighters from the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, San Bernardino County, and Cal Fire are working the fire today and two helicopters are providing water drops. Two additional hand crews are expected to arrive later today to augment the present firefighting efforts.

Three wildfires were reported yesterday afternoon at about 1 p.m. following lightning ignitions from thunderstorm activity over the park. The Keys Incident Fire originated near Inspiration Point, just west of the park’s Keys View overlook. The fire is burning on rocky slopes covered with scattered pinyon pines, junipers, Joshua trees, blackbrush, and other desert shrubs. The fire had grown to approximately 100 acres by 10 p.m. yesterday evening. Overnight, there was little additional growth.

No additional activity was reported on the two small fires that were also ignited yesterday afternoon.

Due to firefighting activity, Keys View Road from its junction with Park Boulevard to its terminus at Keys View remains closed to public access. The closure includes Cap Rock Nature Trail. All other park roads, trails, and visitor facilities are open for normal visitor use.

Visitors should remain alert to the presence of firefighting equipment and other emergency vehicles and use caution driving through the park. For further information and fire updates, the media can contact Joshua Tree National Park at 760-367-5522.