Submitted by Bob Sydnor (AERC, GCTC member)
In regard to the fate of Loafer Creek Equestrian Campground within Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. We have been uncertain if the North Complex Fire in Butte County might have burned this horse campground.
The (tentative) good news as of September 18, is that Loafer Creek Horse Campground has been spared. About one-third of the northeastern section of Loafer Creek has apparently been burned, including parts of the public campground.
Pictured is the fire perimeter map as of 9/18/2020. But this can rapidly change, so stay tuned.
CLICK HERE for my 7-page detailed report about Loafer Creek Horse Campground that was written two years ago.
Lake Oroville, in total, has a shoreline of about 168 miles. Over 50% of the recreation area along the lake, which is a large portion of the shorline, burned during the Bear Fire.
Most of what burned was vegetation but several of the Loafer Creek recreation area's facilities have sustained minor damage, including the campground.
Other areas are still being evaluated, as are hazard trees in many areas. Many of these are still needing to be cleared.
Lake Oroville is still closed to the public at this time.
"The lake is under closure right now. The whole lake here is under that closure. We can not allow any boating at this time. There are portions of the lake, specifically the north fork, the south fork and the middle fork that are within those mandatory evacuation zones. The rest of the lake including the main body are in the warning zones, but because of the madatory evacuation orders in those other zones, we can not allow any access on the body of the lake," said Matt Teague, the Northern Buttes District Superintendent, California State Parks.
He says as soon as evacuation orders are lifted on all areas of the lake, then the lake will be able to open to the public.
One house boat also burned during the fire but the boat fire has not been attributed to the Bear Fire as of yet.
The marinas have had no reported damage.
With regards to all the ash that you might be seeing floating around, the California Department of Water Resources says they will be investigating this soon to see if it has affected the water quality.
CLICK HERE to see video on Action News Now