Executive Summary
- A 3.5-acre brush fire destroyed nearly 100 palm trees at the Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs on Sunday.
- The Oswit Land Trust stated the fire was likely human-caused and started off-trail near a water source.
- Palm Springs Fire Department, assisted by Cathedral City and Cal Fire, contained the blaze with no reported injuries.
- An arson investigation is underway to determine the specific cause of the incident.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A brush fire suspected to be the result of arson destroyed nearly 100 palm trees and scorched approximately 3.5 acres at the Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs on Sunday afternoon. The blaze, reported shortly before 2:20 p.m., prompted a significant response from local fire agencies but resulted in no injuries or structural damage.
According to the Palm Springs Fire Department, crews arrived at the scene near the preserve’s pond to find a rapidly spreading vegetation fire. Due to the intensity of the flames, officials upgraded the incident to a second alarm. Additional units from Cathedral City and Cal Fire were deployed to assist in containment efforts, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby properties. Firefighters remained on site for several hours to conduct mop-up operations.
Jane Garrison, founder and executive director of the Oswit Land Trust, which manages the preserve, stated that the fire originated off-trail near a water source, an area she described as "green and healthy." Garrison noted that dry conditions were not a factor in the ignition. "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, indicating that an investigation is currently underway to confirm the source.
The Oswit Land Trust has issued a call for public donations to assist with recovery and replanting efforts following the destruction. A city spokesperson remarked on the resilience of the local ecosystem, stating, "From scorched earth comes renewal, from loss comes learning, and from ashes comes the space for new life to rise."
Investigative Outlook
The classification of the incident as suspected arson by land management officials shifts the operational focus from standard emergency response to a criminal investigation. Authorities are currently analyzing the point of origin to determine intent, specifically noting the unusual location of the fire near a water source. As the Palm Springs Fire Department and law enforcement continue their inquiry, the incident highlights the ongoing challenge of securing open-space preserves against human-caused destruction within the urban interface.
