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Contact: Joe Zarki, 760-367-5527 Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Curt Sauer announced that Park Boulevard and Jumbo Rocks Campground would reopen this Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. The road and campground were closed yesterday and today due to a lightning-caused wildfire that ignited desert brush and Joshua trees near Geology Tour Road. The fire grew to 740 acres in size Saturday evening and crossed the main park road between Jumbo Rocks and Sheep Pass Campground prompting closure of the area. Superintendent Sauer made the decision to open the area for public use after conferring with Incident Commander Steve Elenburg and evaluating Sunday’s fire activity. The Incident Commander declared that the fire was 100% contained as of Sunday evening. Fire activity was light today as most of the 100 personnel and ten engines assigned to the fire were engaged in mop up activity. Scattered thunderstorms still rumbled through the area Sunday afternoon raising fresh concern for new lightning strikes and additional fire activity. Certain public-use areas will remain closed through tomorrow as some fire fighting personnel will still be working in the area. These areas include the Barker Dam Parking Area, the Echo Tee Parking Area, the Bighorn Pass Road, and Desert Queen Mine Road, and the Geology Tour Road. With the re-opening of Park Boulevard, visitors can now complete the drive through the park between the communities of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015