The U.S. shutdown ended over a week ago, yet the damage to national parks is still visible. For instance, graffiti was found on ancient rocks at Arches National Park , while Gettysburg National Military Park was vandalized.

Joshua Tree National Park has also been in the news during the shutdown, as a fire ignited south of the park’s Black Rock Campgrounds, destroying several acres of land. It has now been found that the fire was caused by a hiker who decided to burn toilet paper during their visit.

Here is what we know about this accident, how the Black Rock Fire affected Joshua Tree National Park, and what the future holds for this protected area.

Joshua Tree National Park’s Hiker Blamed For Black Rock Fire

A National Park Service communication officer recently told SFGate that a

See Full Page