Wildfire closes backcountry campground, hot springs in Death Valley

A backcountry campground known for its hot springs in Death Valley National Park is temporarily closed due to a fire that occurred Tuesday night, officials said.

The National Park Service said in a release Wednesday that the Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground, located in a remote western area of the park about 40 miles from the nearest paved road, is closed for safety concerns. The fire was contained in the Lower Springs area but destroyed a shed at a volunteer camp host’s site that is a potential source of hazardous material, the release said.

“Right now, we need the public to stay away from Saline Valley Campground until the hazards are assessed and dealt with and the site can be safe for the public to access.” Superintendent of Death Valley National Park Mike Reynolds said in a statement.

The Lower Springs saw most of its nonnative palm trees burned from the fire, although some are likely to survive, the release said. The NPS said its initial assessment is that piping to and from the Lower Springs’ pools were melted but the soaking tubs appear undamaged. The Palm Springs section of the campground was not burned.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.