Free Republic

Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County is partially reopening later this month—with reservations accepted starting Friday for limited day-use access—for the first time since the CZU Lightning Complex Fire destroyed much of the park in August 2020. The fire burned more than 97 percent of the park, destroying its headquarters, campgrounds, employee housing and nearly every other structure, and the park is still without electricity, running water or phone service, California State Parks officials said. Big Basin will partially reopen starting July 22 to allow visitors to explore the Redwood Loop and about 18 miles of fire...

Nearly a year after the CZU Lightning fire burned through California's oldest state park-the clean-up continues. The fire swept through 97% of Big Basin State Redwood Park's 18,000 acres. With historic structures now gone, the public is being asked to help with the rebuilding process. It's really going to be a labor of love, as this week the state parks unveiled a new website: ReimagingBigBasin.org, where the public can get information and get involved in the planning for its rebuilding. "The canopy is gone. So what you have are big hulking, tall hulking things that is now sprouting out greenery...

Fire crews have contained what's being called the Basin Fire in the Santa Cruz mountains that began burning Sunday at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, according to Cal Fire. Cal Fire Santa Cruz-San Mateo's Twitter account said the fire grew to 6.7 acres. Fire crews will remain on the scene to monitor the fire overnight. The fire was first reported around 12:10 p.m burning in an area that was scorched by last year's CZU Lightning Complex fires. Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond and Santa Cruz fire departments helped in the fire fight. You can prepare for fires using this website: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/

In a devastating loss for one of California’s most venerable parks, the historic park headquarters, the nature center, campgrounds and other structures at Big Basin Redwoods State Park were destroyed in the raging wildfires currently burning through the Santa Cruz Mountains. The status of the ancient redwoods in the park, some of which tower more than 300 feet tall and date back nearly 2,000 years, was unclear Thursday afternoon. Redwood trees’ bark is heavily fire-resistant, but in intense fire storms the trees can be damaged, and some of the large trees near park headquarters were scorched by the flames, according...