UPDATE: Prescott Preserve fire to be investigated as potential arson
Bruno Lopez-Vega
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire that burned 3.5 acres and nearly 100 palm trees Sunday, is now being investigated as a potential case of arson, according to Oswit Land Trust.
The trust owns Prescott Preserve, where the fire ignited around 2 p.m. Sunday. City officials say no firefighters were injured and no structures were damaged.
Now, Oswit is speaking out on the fire, which they’ve called devastating.
“What makes this loss even more painful is that we can say with a high degree of certainty that this fire was human-caused. An arson investigation will be taking place this week. The trails on the east side of Farrell will be closed until further notice,” Executive Director Jane Garrison said.
Garrison went on to say there is still much unknown, but they are clarifying the fire was not caused by dry conditions.
She said in a statement:
“* It is important to be clear that this fire was NOT caused by dry conditions. The preserve is healthy and green.
* We have not yet been able to assess how the turtle population fared ( or the owls, bats, coots, etc).
Because the palm oasis was so well-established and thriving, it was not included in our restoration grant. As a result, all immediate response, recovery and replanting efforts will need to come from donations.
We need help ASAP to cover the costs of:
1. Hiring people to immediately to clear burned vegetation and assess the damage.
2.Removing damaged or hazardous trees
3.Replacing and expanding security camera coverage
4.Potentially replacing equipment that may have been damaged in the fire.
5. Ultimately, restoring and replanting this critical habitat.”
If you’d like to help Oswit’s rebuilding efforts, visit: http://www.oswitlandtrust.org/donate
Update 5:15 p.m. :
The fire has been extinguished as fire crews continue to mop up the area.
A cause of that fire has not been confirmed.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs firefighters are on the scene of a large brush fire burning on the Prescott Preserve, in the area of Ramon Road and Farrell Drive.
That fire was first reported just past 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, and quickly grew in intensity.
Firefighters have closed roads closer to the fire as they work to extinguish it.
Stay withy News Channel 3 for updates.