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

By Cheri Mossburg and Susannah Cullinane, CNN
Published 3:29 AM EDT, 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.
Brad Sutton/National Park Service/File
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.

In this Monday, March 26, 2018 photo provided by Steve Raines, a firefighter works at the scene of a fire that broke out at Joshua Tree National Park, damaging a historical landmark. The National Park Service said the fire that broke out late Monday damaged the Oasis of Mara, a site settled by Native Americans who planted the 29 palm trees that inspired the name of the city of Twentynine Palms. (Steve Raines Photography via AP)
In this Monday, March 26, 2018 photo provided by Steve Raines, a firefighter works at the scene of a fire that broke out at Joshua Tree National Park, damaging a historical landmark. The National Park Service said the fire that broke out late Monday damaged the Oasis of Mara, a site settled by Native Americans who planted the 29 palm trees that inspired the name of the city of Twentynine Palms. (Steve Raines Photography via AP)
Steve Raines Photography via AP

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.

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.
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.
Courtesy Hannah Schwalbe/NPS
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.
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.
Courtesy Brad Sutton/NPS
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.
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.
Courtesy Hannah Schwalbe/NPS
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.
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.
Courtesy Robb Hannawacker/NPS
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.
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.
Courtesy Glauco Puig-Santana/NPS
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.
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.
Courtesy Glauco Puig-Santana/NPS
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.
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.
Shutterstock
Recline in the Integratron for a '60 minute sonic healing'. Co-owner Joanne Karl describes a sonic healing as "the fusion of art, science and magic."
Recline in the Integratron for a '60 minute sonic healing'. Co-owner Joanne Karl describes a sonic healing as "the fusion of art, science and magic."
Robert Gauthier/LA Times via Getty Images
To catch a concert under the stars, swing by Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown. Even Paul McCartney has graced the stage at this hidden gem in the desert.
To catch a concert under the stars, swing by Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown. Even Paul McCartney has graced the stage at this hidden gem in the desert.
Shutterstock
Far from light pollution and big cities, Joshua Tree boasts breathtaking views of the night sky. At Sky's the Limit Observatory, visitors can get a closer look with telescopes and inside the observatory.
Far from light pollution and big cities, Joshua Tree boasts breathtaking views of the night sky. At Sky's the Limit Observatory, visitors can get a closer look with telescopes and inside the observatory.
Courtesy Hannah Schwalbe/NPS
After a long day of exploring, lay your head down at Pioneertown Motel. Located just behind Pappy & Harriet's, it's the perfect place to rest after a adventure-packed day.
After a long day of exploring, lay your head down at Pioneertown Motel. Located just behind Pappy & Harriet's, it's the perfect place to rest after a adventure-packed day.
Courtesy Ryan Lopez/Pioneertown Motel
Whether you're at Joshua Tree National Park for an afternoon, a weekend, or an entire week, there's something for everyone in this captivating desertscape.
Whether you're at Joshua Tree National Park for an afternoon, a weekend, or an entire week, there's something for everyone in this captivating desertscape.
Courtesy Brad Sutton/NPS
How to make the most of Joshua Tree National Park

The blaze largely affected the park’s Oasis of Mara, a historical landmark. The site was settled by the Native American Serrano tribe, whose members planted 29 palm trees at the oasis, according to the National Park Service.

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