Lassen Volcanic National Park was evacuated and closed last week due to the encroaching Park Fire, the fifth-largest wildfire in California’s history.
Almost exactly three years after the Dixie Fire consumed much of the eastern portion of Lassen Volcanic NP, the Park Fire is approaching the park’s western edge.
Visitors were evacuated from all campgrounds, and reservations have been canceled until further notice. All park employees have been evacuated from park housing and their homes in the community. According to reports, the fire has forced the evacuation of more than 25,000 people in four counties.
Lassen Volcanic NP superintendent Rose Worley, who took over leadership for the park three months ago, said in a park release that employee accountability and the safety and well-being of employees and visitors is her number one priority. Her second goal is to protect the park’s resources and many historic buildings.
Fire officials speculate that the fire has potential to reach both Manzanita Lake and Mineral Headquarters.
Damage from wildfires can have lasting effects on the landscape and environment. Drakesbad Lodge and Juniper Lake have been closed in the eastern portion of the park since the Dixie Fire.
Information about the Park Fire is available on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calnf-park-fire.
Highway 89 through the park is currently open only to through traffic for the purposes of evacuation. Recreational travel is prohibited to keep the road clear for evacuating residents of the park and the local communities.
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