Temporary Closures due to the Carr Fire

Park Map showing temporary closures in red.
The park map above shows the most up-to-date status of temporary closures within Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Crystal Creek Road from James K. Carr Trailhead to Coggins Park is closed to vehicles; hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding on this stretch of road is permitted.
 

Determination to Change Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Regulations (September 19, 2019)

Consistent with applicable legislation and federal administrative policies, and based upon a determination that such action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, aid to scientific research, implementation of management responsibilities, equitable allocation and use of facilities, or the avoidance of conflict among visitor use activities, the Superintendent makes the following changes to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area regulations...

1. Regulation Change
Effective August 20, 2019, the following areas will remain closed to public use:

  • The Mill Creek, Brandy Creek, Boulder Creek, and Paige Boulder Creek watersheds except those portions of Boulder Creek and Brandy Creek watersheds northeast of WAPA line running from the Whiskeytown Dam to the Carr Powerhouse. The creek bottoms of Boulder Creek and Brandy Creek (500 feet either side of the creeks) are also closed.

  • The Crystal Creek Road uphill of Crystal Creek Falls will remain closed to public vehicle traffic.

  • All burned building sites remain closed to all public use to include Buildings 200, 401, 402, the McDermmitt Homestead and Buildings, WES Camp, and Boys Camp.

  • The Pigeon Hunting Area near WES Camp is open seven days a week during the CDFW approved season.

2. Previous Regulations Affected by this Change

  • The national recreation area is generally open to the public with the exception of small sections reserved for administrative use. The most recent Post Carr Fire Determination of Change dated 5/30/19 kept a large section of the park closed due to post fire hazards.

  • This Determination of Change opens the Crystal Creek watershed and lower slopes of Shasta Bally to recreation.

3. Date of Adoption: September 20, 2019

4. Reasons for Change

  • The Carr Fire started on July 23, 2018, along Highway 299 near Tower House Historic District. The Carr Fire consumed nearly all NPS lands within the legislative boundary. Numerous hazards remain unmitigated within the closed area.

5. Effective Date: September 20, 2019, until further notice

6. Authority for Adoption: Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR, Part 1.5


- Josh Hoines, Park Superintendent, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. 9/18/2019

 

Closure Order #20-004

June 30, 2020

Closures, Restrictions, and Public Use Limits:

Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following area is open to public use at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, effective immediately, until further notice:

  • That portion of Tower House Historic District up to the El Dorado Mine site. The El Dorado Mine Site remains closed. Authority: 36 CFR 1.5(a)(1)-(2)

Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, including park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders, except as follows: administrative activities of the NPS can continue in closed sites.

Finding: The NPS issues this administrative order for the purposes of maintaining public safety and protecting natural and cultural resources. Many of the hazards caused by the Carr Fire have been mitigated.

Completion of the post fire recovery work requires the NPS to take the actions identified above because:

  • On July 23, 2018, the Carr Fire started in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The Carr Fire cause significant damage to natural and cultural resources leaving exposed burnt debris, numerous hazard trees, and damage to park roads and trails. These damages have been replaced, repaired, and mitigated. Hazards remain in the El Dorado Mine Site and this area will remain closed.

This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the order will be modified or rescinded when conditions warrant.

- Josh Hoines, Superintendent, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 6/30/2020

Last updated: August 13, 2021

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Whiskeytown, CA 96095

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530 242-3400

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