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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Fire Damages Historic Area of Joshua Tree National Park

An historic area of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California burned Monday evening in a small human-caused wildfire, according to investigators.

(CN) – An historic area of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California burned Monday evening in a small human-caused wildfire, according to investigators.

About five acres of vegetation burned around 9:00 p.m. in the city of Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County. The fire damaged the Oasis of Mara, a historical landmark that also serves as the headquarters and visitor center for Joshua Tree.

San Bernardino Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said no arrests have been made, contradicting an earlier report by the Associated Press.

While authorities believe the blaze was sparked by human activity, fire department spokesman Eric Sherman said investigators are still determining whether it was intentional or an accident.

Oasis of Mara was first settled by the Serrano people, who planted the 29 palms trees that inspired the city's name.

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