News Release

Temporary Closure of Covington Flats

A dirt road disappears into the distance with a lone Joshua tree at the side of the road and vegetation-covered hills in the distance.

NPS / Emily Hassell

News Release Date: June 30, 2023

Contact: Hannah Schwalbe, 760-367-5555

Public access to the Covington Flats area is closed from Friday, June 30, 2023, through Wednesday, July 5, 2023. 

During the spring of 2023, Joshua Tree National Park received above average precipitation. The rain caused an abundance of grass to grow, which is now dried, making a continuous bed of flashy fuels. The national weather service has issued high heat warnings for the area, and fire meteorologists at Southern California Geographic Coordination Center has stated that expected fire indicators will be the highest they have been this season. Expected conditions present an extreme fire danger.  

Two weeks ago, the Geology Fire burned 1033 acres of the park in just a few hours. This was under conditions that were much more tepid than are expected in the coming days. The Covington Flats area contains most of the important Joshua tree populations within the park.  

As the 4th of July holiday weekend approaches, human activity may increase fire risk. All visitors should practice fire safety:  

• Keep campfires small and only within a metal campsite fire ring in official campgrounds, 
• Dispose of extinguished cigarette butts properly, and  
• Enjoy safe and legal fireworks outside of the park, fireworks are not allowed in the park.