PALM SPRINGS, CA — This was a sad weekend at the Prescott Preserve, the City of Palm Springs shared. “Nearly 100 palm trees were lost to fire, and the landscape looks different from the way it did just yesterday.”
An arson investigation is underway this week to determine the cause of a roughly 3.5-acre vegetation fire that burned nearly 100 palm trees at the Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs.
The non-injury blaze was reported shortly before 2:20 p.m. Sunday near the preserve’s pond, according to the Palm Springs Fire Department.
Crews arrived at the scene a few minutes later and encountered a rapidly spreading fire, which prompted the fire to be upgraded to a second alarm.
Additional resources from Cathedral City and Cal Fire helped prevent further spread. It was fully contained to about 3.5 acres, with no injuries reported and no damage to nearby structures.
Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours for mop-up work.
According to Jane Garrison, founder and executive director of Oswit Land Trust, an investigation into the fire’s cause will be conducted, with arson appearing to be a likely source.
“What makes this loss even more painful is that we can say with a high degree of certainty that this fire was human-caused,” Garrison said.
“The fire seems to have started around palm trees, off trail and right next to the water. It is important to be clear that this fire was not caused by dry conditions. The pond area is quite green and healthy,” Garrison said.
Oswit Land Trust, which manages the preserve, asked the public for donations to support recovery and re-planting efforts. Online donations can be made at oswitlandtrust.org/donate.
Nature has always been resilient, according to a city spokesperson. “From scorched earth comes renewal, from loss comes learning, and from ashes comes the space for new life to rise.”
