Man sentenced to five years for setting fire at Joshua Tree National Park

By Cheri Mossburg and Susannah Cullinane, CNN

Updated 3:29 AM ET, Tue September 11, 2018

The nature trail at the Oasis of Mara before the fire.
The nature trail at the Oasis of Mara before the fire.

(CNN)A California man was sentenced to five years in prison Monday for illegally starting a fire that burned nearly 10,000 square feet of historic trees and other vegetation in the Joshua Tree National Park.

George William Graham, 26, also was ordered to pay $21,019 in restitution to the National Park Service, according to a news release from the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
Graham pleaded guilty in June to a felony charge of unlawfully setting a fire. His prison sentence is the maximum term for that offense.
Arson suspected in fire damaging historic landmark at Joshua Tree National Park
Arson suspected in fire damaging historic landmark at Joshua Tree National Park
Graham, who is from Twentynine Palms, California, admitted in the plea agreement that he started the March 26 fire by igniting a palm frond with a handheld lighter. The blaze grew to about 9,989 square feet and destroyed seven California fan palms and other grasses, bushes and vegetation, the US Attorney's Office's news release said.
    National Park Service law enforcement rangers arrested Graham at the scene after he was observed watching the fire, the news release said. He was on parole at the time for one of two prior arson convictions, for which he had received four year sentences.
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    Larger than the state of Rhode Island, Joshua Tree National Park is a nature escape from the busy Los Angeles life. Only two and a half hours east by car, this national park offers hiking, camping and places to explore--both in and outside the park limits.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    Larger than the state of Rhode Island, Joshua Tree National Park is a nature escape from the busy Los Angeles life. Only two and a half hours east by car, this national park offers hiking, camping and places to explore--both in and outside the park limits.
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    The park's namesake comes from the Joshua Tree, agave plants with arm-like branches named by Mormon immigrants. They said the outstretched limbs reminded them of Joshua reaching his hands to the sky in prayer.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    The park's namesake comes from the Joshua Tree, agave plants with arm-like branches named by Mormon immigrants. They said the outstretched limbs reminded them of Joshua reaching his hands to the sky in prayer.
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    If you prefer to avoid the desert heat, cruise through the desert on Park Boulevard. Running east to west in the northwestern section of the park, you can hit the highlights without breaking a sweat.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    If you prefer to avoid the desert heat, cruise through the desert on Park Boulevard. Running east to west in the northwestern section of the park, you can hit the highlights without breaking a sweat.
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    The park's most photographed landmark is Skull Rock, a giant piece granite eroded by rain over many years that now resembles a skull. For an added adventure, hike the 1.8 mile Skull Rock Trail.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    The park's most photographed landmark is Skull Rock, a giant piece granite eroded by rain over many years that now resembles a skull. For an added adventure, hike the 1.8 mile Skull Rock Trail.
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    The Cholla Cactus Garden is a quick, flat quarter-mile loop through nearly 10 acres of cacti including teddybear cholla, identified by its yellow spines and dark lower trunk.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    The Cholla Cactus Garden is a quick, flat quarter-mile loop through nearly 10 acres of cacti including teddybear cholla, identified by its yellow spines and dark lower trunk.
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    Joshua Tree is a vertical playground perfect for climbers and boulderers. With over 8,000 climbing routes and 2,000 boulder problems to choose from, there's a place to climb for everyone.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    Joshua Tree is a vertical playground perfect for climbers and boulderers. With over 8,000 climbing routes and 2,000 boulder problems to choose from, there's a place to climb for everyone.
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    The landscape has inspired artists with its captivating beauty. It's no surprise that many larger than life art installations can be found tucked away in the terrain, like Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Desert Museum of Assemblage Sculpture.
    Photos: How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park
    The landscape has inspired artists with its captivating beauty. It's no surprise that many larger than life art installations can be found tucked away in the terrain, like Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Desert Museum of Assemblage Sculpture.
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