Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the California Fire Foundation, with support from Pacific Gas & Electric, for the Joshua Tree National Park Fire Water Tank Installation & Community Protection Project. This specialized equipment grant will fund the purchase and installation of 5,000-gallon water tanks in remote, high fire-risk zones of Joshua Tree National Park, where lack of water access currently delays firefighting efforts.
The water tanks will be strategically located in the park’s most vulnerable zones, creating permanent firefighting infrastructure where none currently exists. Fire crews currently face critical delays of 45-60 minutes due to the 4.4-mile round trip to the nearest water source, plus 15-30 minutes of filling time per truck. The new tanks are expected to reduce response time to under 10 minutes — up to an 83% improvement that could prevent small fires from becoming major disasters.
The recent Eureka Fire exposed critical infrastructure gaps in fire response capabilities. These water tanks will dramatically improve protection for the park’s 3.5 million annual visitors and the more than 50,000 residents in surrounding communities like Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms.
The project addresses the growing wildfire threat facing Joshua Tree National Park, which is located in a Tier 2 high wildfire risk area as defined by the California Public Utilities Commission. The installation will create a robust water supply network that supports both initial attack and extended firefighting operations, while also serving as a replicable model for climate-resilient fire infrastructure that can be scaled across California’s high-risk public lands.
Project oversight will be managed by key personnel including Jacqueline Guevara, Executive Director of JTNPA; Jim Snow, NPS Fire Management Officer; and Jane Rodgers, Superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park. The project is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026.
JTNPA will provide additional funding through its Emergency Preparedness Fund and other sources to support the project. This type of partnership support has become increasingly important as organizations face growing infrastructure needs with limited resources and reduced funding to protect communities from escalating wildfire risks.
About California Fire Foundation
The California Fire Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the Foundation’s work includes survivor assistance projects, community initiatives, wildfire and disaster relief programs, and fire safety education. More information is available at cafirefoundation.org.
