Joshua Tree fire: Eureka Fire at popular national park is 65% contained, officials say
The Eureka Fire blazing at Joshua Tree National Park has reached 65% containment as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 2, officials said.
The brush fire was reported around noon on Friday, May 30, in the Covington Flats area, the National Park Service said, producing smoke plumes visible for miles.
The fire is at 214 acres and 65% containment as of 11 a.m., according to Joshua Tree National Park's update. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Crews continued to battle the fire during the weekend, and the fire withstood 'strong winds' from 8 to 10 p.m. on May 31, according to the national park.
Here are the temporary closures in place as fire containment remains active:
Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within Joshua Tree National Park's boundary;
Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper;
California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock;
Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree National Park.
The national park saw over 2.9 million visitors last year, according to the National Park Service's statistics. The figure isn't too far off from the 3.2 million attendees Glacier National Park in Montana recorded last year. The park was the 10th most visited national park in America last year, USA TODAY reported.
Air quality in parts of the Coachella Valley is largely good or moderate as of the late morning of Sunday, June 1, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District's hourly air quality map. Good on the Air Quality Index means that 'air pollution poses little or no risk,' while moderate means that while air quality is acceptable, some people may be at risk, particularly those who are 'unusually sensitive to air pollution.'
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Joshua Tree National Park fire is 65% contained; See road closures
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