Visiting After the Dixie Fire

A view of Mt. Conard and Diamond Peak above Little Hot Springs Valley following the 2021 Dixie Fire.

 

• Dixie Fire History
• Current Conditions
• Emergency Closures

Majority of Lassen Volcanic Open in 2023

Some emergency closures are in place for facilities, infrastructure, and areas affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. Please adhere to all closures indicated by CLOSED signs.

 

What to Expect When Visiting After the 2021 Dixie Fire

Areas most impacted by Dixie Fire are located in the east and southeast portion of the park and include Warner Valley, Juniper Lake, and portions of Lassen Volcanic Wilderness between Butte and Juniper lakes. All areas west of the park highway were not affected by the Dixie Fire.

Is it Safe to Visit the Park After the Fire?

Areas to the west of and along the park highway that were unaffected by the fire are the safest areas to visit. Additional hazards may be present along the highway including fallen trees, rockfall, or slow or stopped cars. Please adhere to the posted speed limit and be patient with your fellow visitors.

Closures are in place in some affected areas to reduce risk to visitors and damage to park resources or to allow for repair or rehabilitation work. Other areas affected by the Dixie Fire are open and entering these areas involves risk. Learn more about burned area safety.

Hazards in Burned Areas Include:

• Falling trees and limbs
• Hidden stump holes
• Loose or falling rock
• Higher than normal stream flow
• Unstable shorelines
• Burned signs

Is it Worthwhile to Visit after the Fire?

Manzanita Lake and most of the Southwest and Butte Lake Areas have limited or no impacts from the fire. Most of the highlights along the highway look the same as before the fire. You will however, see burned areas from a few sections of the highway and some areas will remain closed for safety and restoration/repair efforts. View photos of effects of the Dixie Fire in the park.

 

Half of the Park Was Not Affected by the Dixie Fire
The Dixie Fire footprint covers 69% of the park, however not all areas within the footprint burned. The majority of burned areas lay in the eastern portion of the park and were low to moderate severity. One-third of affected areas burned at high-severity, including portions of Mill Creek drainage (below the Southwest Entrance), Warner Valley, and Juniper Lake Area.

Vegetation Burn Severity within Lassen Volcanic National Park

Severity	Acres	Percent of Fire Footprint
Unchanged	12,845	18%
Low to Moderate	34,450	49%
High	23,493	33%

Which Trails Were Affected?

All Trails West of the Park Highway Were Not Affected
Many trails remain snow-covered, but are open to oversnow travel.

Most Trails East of the Park Highway Were Affected

Small sections of trail or damaged/destroyed infrastructure such as overlooks and boardwalks will be signed as CLOSED as conditions warrant. Significant closures will be noted on the trail conditions page.

Expected burn area hazards on all trails within the Dixie Fire footprint. 

Trail Rehabilitation in Progress

The park is prioritizing efforts to rehabilitate popular trails within the burn footprint as soon as possible. This includes completing repair/reconstruction of Kings Creek Falls overlook, Mill Creek Falls bridges, and the rehabilitating the 13-mile segement of the Pacific Crest Trail within the park.

Which Campgrounds Will Be Open?

Most park campgrounds are anticipated to open for the 2022 summer/fall season. View campground operating dates and status.

• Scheduled opening dates may be delayed for post-fire repair at Summit, Juniper, and Warner Valley Campgrounds. Once open, selected sites may remain closed for ongoing repair and rehabilitation work.
• Southwest Walk-in Campground is anticipated to remain closed due to tree hazards. Camping in self-contained vehicles will likely remain permitted within the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area.

Where Can I Go Backpacking?

Backpacking is permitted within the Dixie Fire footprint. Backpackers should exercise caution in burned areas; learn more about  burned area safety.

Some closures are in place for facilities, infrastructure, and areas affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire.

Will Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Warner Valley Areas Be Open?

The status of park roads is listed on the current conditions page and includes closures for snow and post-fire repair. The opening of Warner Valley and Juniper Lake roads will be delayed beyond the normal spring/summer opening to allow for post-fire repair.

Butte Lake Area

• Butte Lake road, day use area is open. The campground will open on 6/3.
• Cinder Cone Trail was affected by the Dixie Fire, but is passable.

Warner Valley Area

• Drakesbad Guest Ranch is closed for the season for repairs to damaged infrastructure. 
• Warner Valley Campground may open once post-fire hazards have been addressed.

Juniper Lake Area

• Juniper Lake Road is open.
• Juniper Lake Campground is open. Group campsites are not likely to open for the season due to fire impacts.
• Trails connecting Juniper Lake, Butte Lake, and Summit Lake were impacted by the Dixie Fire.

Where Can I Use Stock?

The Dixie Fire footprint is closed to stock use. This closure will limit the impacts to the resource and prevent soil erosion, social trailing, erosion at creek crossing, nonnative plant introduction as well as mitigate safety concerns for livestock and the stock users. Burned areas will remain closed to stock use through 2024 or until full repairs are completed.

Stock use is permitted within all other areas of the park normally open to stock use.

 

 

Map of key emergency closures version 5/26/2022. This map does not include all closures. Please adhere to all closures indicated by CLOSED signs within the park. Learn more about the 2021 Dixie Fire.

 

Map of initial Dixie Fire vegetation burn severity. Click for larger view.