Wildfire closes backcountry campground, hot springs in Death Valley

A backcountry campground known for its blistery springs in Death Valley National Park was temporarily closed after an incident Tuesday night, officials said. The National Park Service announced Wednesday that the Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground, situated in a remote western portion of the park roughly 40 miles from the nearest paved road, is closed due to safety concerns. The incident was contained within the Lower Springs area but destroyed a shed at a volunteer camp host’s tract that may be a source of hazardous material. “Right now, we request the nationalist to enactment distant from Saline Valley Campground until the hazards are assessed and dealt with and the tract tin beryllium harmless for the nationalist to access,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds in a statement. The Lower Springs lost most of its nonnative palm trees to the fire, although some are expected to survive. The NPS’s preliminary assessment indicates that piping to and from the Lower Springs’ pools melted while the soaking tubs appear undamaged. The Palm Springs section of the campground escaped damage. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.