Picture provided by Palm Springs Fire Department

Palm Springs, Ca

A fast-moving vegetation fire burned approximately 3.5 acres and an estimated 100 palm trees at Prescott Preserve on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1, prompting a Second Alarm response and an ongoing arson investigation, according to the Palm Springs Fire Department.

Fire crews were dispatched at approximately 2:17 p.m. to reports of a vegetation fire near the pond at the Prescott Preserve and arrived on scene at 2:23 p.m. Firefighters encountered rapidly spreading flames and upgraded the incident to a Second Alarm to bring in additional resources. An aggressive suppression effort successfully stopped the fire from spreading further and protected surrounding areas.

At 3:35 p.m., Jane Garrison of Prescott Preserve posted an update stating that the fire was under control however 100 palm trees were impacted by the fire. “We are aware of the fire at Prescott Preserve. We are heartbroken and devastated. The fire department is doing its best to get it under control,” Garrison wrote.

Fire officials later confirmed the blaze was fully contained and remained a vegetation-only incident. No structures were damaged, and there were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians. Crews will remain on scene for several hours to complete mop-up operations.

In a statement issued earlier in the afternoon, Garrison said staff, board members, and volunteers were “heartbroken and devastated” by the loss of the preserve’s long-established palm oasis surrounding the ponds. She added that the organization believes, with a high degree of certainty, that the fire was human-caused. An arson investigation is expected to take place this week. Trails on the east side of Farrell Drive will remain closed until further notice.

Garrison emphasized that the fire was not caused by dry conditions, noting that the preserve was healthy and green at the time of the incident. Assessments of wildlife impacts are still pending, including the status of turtles, owls, bats, coots, and other species that depend on the habitat.

Because the palm oasis was thriving and well-established, it was not included in a restoration grant. As a result, immediate response, recovery, and replanting efforts will rely on donations. Prescott Preserve is seeking support to cover costs associated with clearing burned vegetation, removing hazardous trees, expanding security camera coverage, replacing potentially damaged equipment, and ultimately restoring and replanting the critical habitat.

The Palm Springs Fire Department thanked assisting agencies for their support and reminded the community to remain vigilant during periods of increased fire danger.

Prescott Preserve representatives also expressed deep gratitude for the fire department’s rapid response and for the outpouring of community support. Donations to assist with recovery efforts can be made through the Oswit Land Trust at oswitlandtrust.org/donate.