DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — More than half of Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground has reopened as of October 5, 2026, following a recent fire. The fire, which occurred in the Lower Springs area of the remote campground, was accidentally started when a propane grill ignited a palm tree, according to investigators with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
While the fire is fully contained, the immediate burn area remains closed to entry due to lingering hot spots and hazardous materials. National Park Service (NPS) staff continue to monitor the area and are assessing damage to park infrastructure, as well as impacts on natural and cultural resources. Visitors should not enter the closed area or attempt to repair or replace infrastructure damaged by the fire.
Superintendent Mike Reynolds emphasized visitor safety as the top priority. He underscored that "residual heat and hazardous materials remain in the burn area" despite containment. Reynolds also expressed appreciation for everyone’s patience as the park moves into the next phase of cleanup and recovery.
Areas of the campground that are now open include Palm Spring, the camping area situated between Lower Spring and Palm Spring, and the double-vault toilet located at Lower Spring.
A Department of the Interior post-fire recovery team is scheduled to assess the burned area in mid-October. This team will evaluate the extent of damage to and destruction of NPS infrastructure, impacts to natural and cultural resources, and identify ongoing safety hazards. Among the specific hazards mentioned is a large bank of partially burned batteries. The removal of debris and other hazardous materials is anticipated to begin in early winter.
The recent fire does not change the National Park Service’s established management approach for California fan palms at Saline Valley Warm Springs. Under the existing Saline Valley Warm Springs Management Plan, mature palms already present are permitted to remain for their natural lifespan. When these palms die, they are removed from the area and are replaced with native vegetation. The plan specifically prohibits new California fan palms from establishing, as the species is not native to Death Valley National Park and is considered invasive to the ecosystem.
Many of the palms affected by the fire still display green fronds, and most are expected to survive. Park officials note that even some palms that appear severely burned may produce new fronds in the coming months. The NPS will continue to monitor all affected palms and will remove only those determined to be dead, in line with the park's existing management plan.
