Fire department contains vegetation fire at Prescott Preserve

The Palm Springs Fire Department contained a vegetation fire at Prescott Preserve on Sunday afternoon after firefighters responded to a report of flames near the pond area between Farrell Drive and Compadre Road.

Fire crews received the call at 2:17 p.m. and arrived on scene at 2:23 p.m., according to the department. Firefighters encountered a rapidly spreading vegetation fire and upgraded the incident to a second alarm to bring in additional resources.

The fire was contained to approximately 3.5 acres, with an estimated 100 palm trees burned. No structures were damaged, and no injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported.

The incident remained a vegetation-only fire that has been declared fully contained. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours during mop-up operations.

Jane Garrison of Oswit Land Trust, which manages the preserve, said the organization’s staff, board and volunteers were devastated by the fire.

“Our beautiful palm tree oasis surrounding the ponds is almost gone,” Garrison said.

Garrison said the organization believes that the fire was human-caused. An arson investigation will take place this week, she said.

“It is important to be clear that this fire was not caused by dry conditions,” Garrison said. “The preserve is healthy and green.”

The extent of damage to wildlife, including turtles, owls, bats and coots, has not yet been assessed. Trails on the east side of Farrell will remain closed until further notice.

Because the palm oasis was well-established and thriving, it was not included in the organization’s restoration grant, Garrison said. All immediate response, recovery and replanting efforts will need to come from donations.

“We can’t thank the fire department enough for their quick response,” Garrison said. “This could have been even worse for both humans and wildlife.”

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