Fire Impacts

The CZU Lightning Complex is under control in the Santa Cruz Mountains but a few state parks in the region remain closed due to the fire. State park and beach closures include:

Some evacuations and road closures remain in effect. Please be safe and avoid closed areas. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will provide park-related updates on social media.

Friends Fire Fund established to aid State Parks with wildfire recovery 

In the wake of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, state parks and those who work in them need your help. The wildfire has caused heartbreaking devastation and disruption for our community, affecting our beloved state parks, as well as those who work in them.
 
Recovery from this climate disaster will happen in phases – for both parks and people. Many staff members from Friends and California State Parks were personally impacted by the fire, including dozens who tragically suffered catastrophic losses.
 
Friends is committed to taking care of the dedicated people who work hard to steward our beautiful local state parks, including staff of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and State Parks. 

In response, and through our unique position as co-management partners with State Parks, we have established the “Friends Fire Fund.” The fund will initially provide direct, short-term assistance for those most affected by the fire, followed by investments to be made in long-term recovery work for parks that have been damaged. 

Together, we will get through this crisis. If you would like to join us in our effort to support both people and parks during the recovery process, we very much welcome your support.

Big Basin Redwoods SP Update

California State Parks is updating the public on the status of the structures destroyed at Big Basin Redwoods State Park from the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that continues to burn in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. However, due to extensive damage and hazardous conditions, State Parks has not fully assessed the damage to all the structures, including historic ones built in the 1930s, and the treasured old-growth redwood trees inside California’s oldest state park. The department advises the public not to enter the park as it remains closed. As of today, these are the structures the department can confirm were destroyed:
  • Historic Park Headquarters
  • Historic (Main) lodge
  • Ranger Station
  • Nature Museum
  • Store
  • Maintenance Shop
  • Multiple park residences, including some Saddle Mountain Property structures
  • Multiple campground bathrooms
  • Gatehouse
  • Bridge between North Escape Road and Gazos Creek Road
  • Many structures at Little Basin
  • Jay Camp Seasonal Housing
Notably, the park’s wastewater plant survived the fire undamaged. The plant processes wastewater for the entire park, including its campgrounds, residences and administrative and maintenance buildings. Its continued functionality is an essential element to rebuilding the park in the future.

Read more about the status of the Coast Redwoods, the campgrounds (which remain closed) and the park history here.