Lightning Ignites Fire in Joshua Tree National Park: Burns 125 to 150 Acres

Thunderstorms spawned lighting Sunday that ignited a fire near Keys View in Joshua National Park, a park spokesman said.

As of 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12, the fire had burned an estimated 125 to 150 acres, park spokesman Joe Zarki said.

The Quail Fire was about 3.5 miles northwest of Keys View Scenic Overlook inside park boundaries, Zarki said.

Fire crews on rocky hillsides were fighting the blaze in pinyon pine, juniper and Joshua trees, Zarki said. More than 100 firefighters with the Park Service, BLM and Cal Fire were assigned.

Three air tanker crews and one helicopter crew worked the fire before sundown, acccording to Zarki.

Park officials closed Keys View Road between Cap Rock andKeys View Overlook for firefighting personnel and equipment. Other park roads and visitor facilities remained open.

"Visitors should be alert to flash flood activity in desert washes and low-lying areas," Zarki advised.

Keys View in the Riverside County portion of the park, southwest of Ryan Mountain. The overlook affords views of San Jacinto Peak, the east San Gorgonio Pass and part of the Coachella Valley.

Since Aug. 9, has also sparked in the San Bernardino National Forest, from the Cucamonga Wilderness to Mill Creek Canyon and Anza.

Joshua Tree National Park is about a 70-mile drive east of Redlands and Loma Linda.

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