Joshua Tree fires 90% contained

May 31, 1999
Web posted at: 2:50 p.m. EDT (1850 GMT)

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, California (CNN) -- Firefighters on Monday were gaining control over a lightning-sparked brush fire in the Joshua Tree National park.

The fires have consumed more than 13,100 acres of arid brush-land since Thursday, the largest acreage consumed by fire in the park's history.

Juniper Complex spokesman Charlie Johnson said the fire was 90 percent contained and full containment is expected by Monday evening.

Johnson said there have been no major injuries to firefighters, who numbered nearly one thousand at the height of the blaze.

Nearly 600 park users were evacuated on Saturday, and while two campgrounds and a day use area were closed for a time, they have now reopened.

The park is located approximately 150 miles southeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.

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