News Release

Fire restrictions now in place at Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument

Date: July 3, 2025
Contact: Public Affairs

BARSTOW, Calif. — Due to increased fire danger, Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument are now under fire prevention orders. The following restrictions are necessary to reduce the potential for wildfires to ignite and spread.

Effective at 12:01 a.m. PST on Thursday July 3, 2025, and until rescinded, the following acts are prohibited:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire with any wood or charcoal burning device.
2. Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle or outside in any area that is not cleared of all flammable material for at least three (3) feet. Disposal of cigarettes/cigars in anything other than a vehicle’s ashtray or in a developed area’s ashtray.
3. Welding or use of any torch or metal cutting equipment.
4. Use of flares or other incendiary devices.

Activities that are allowed include:

1. Using portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.

The following persons are exempt from the restrictions of this Fire Prevention Order:

1. Persons with a permit authorizing the activity.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

The use of fireworks is always prohibited on all public lands including Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument per Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.38 (b) under the National Park Service.Violations of this Fire Prevention Order are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both (Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13 (c) under the National Park Service).

For more information about Mojave National Preserve, please visit www.nps.gov/moja or call 760-252-6100.

www.nps.gov

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