QUINCY, CA — For those planning to recreate on the Plumas National Forest this weekend, more sites are opening at Little Grass Valley Reservoir, several Bucks Lake campgrounds remain closed, and at a lot of places water isn’t available.
Recreation staff and firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District continue to make great progress at Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area. Black Rock, Horse Camp, Red Feather and Running Deer campgrounds are opening this afternoon. Until July 14, Red Feather and Running Deer will be first come first served. Reservations will resume next Friday.
At Black Rock, water testing has come back and is good. Water systems at Red Feather and Running Deer are still being tested, so water is not available at these sites. Campers are advised to bring plenty of water.
There is still not an estimated opening date for Little Beaver Campground, where more than 100 hazard trees are identified at the site that need to be cleared.
Some sites at Bucks Lake remain closed due to numerous hazard trees, water system problems and other maintenance issues. Recreation staff on the Mount Hough Ranger District are working with campground operator PG&E to address these problems. PG&E anticipates opening Mill Creek Campground July 15. There is no estimated date for Sundew Campground. Hutchins Group Camp will remain closed all season.
Grizzly Creek, Whitehorse and Lower Bucks campgrounds and Sandy Point, Indian Rock and West End Cove day use areas are open.
Water systems are out at Whitehorse Campground and at Antelope Lake Recreation Area in Boulder Creek and Lone Rock campgrounds. The hope is for repairs to be completed at Antelope Lake Recreation Area before the weekend, but campers should be prepared and bring plenty of water.
Area residents and visitors are also reminded that Forest Road 29N43, also known as Antelope Lake Road, is still closed weekdays between Genessee and the Antelope Lake Dam for the culvert replacement and road repair project. The road is open weekends during the summer recreation season between 5 p.m. Fridays and 6 a.m. Mondays.
In the Feather River Canyon, Hallsted and Spanish Creek campgrounds are open. The campgrounds on Caribou Road – Queen Lily, North Fork and Gansner Bar – are still closed due to landslides on Caribou Road. There is no projected date for those sites to reopen.
Campers and other recreational users should plan on bringing plenty of drinking water in case water systems aren’t cleared for potable water.
At Sly Creek Reservoir Recreation Area and Strawberry Campground, visitors should bring all of the water they will need, as the water systems at these sites need to be repaired.
Even though temperatures are more seasonable, water temperatures are colder than normal. Caution should be used in lakes and rivers to avoid hypothermia and other safety hazards from cold and fast waters.
Area residents and visitors are reminded to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire.
This includes never leaving a campfire unattended and making sure it is dead out and cold to the touch before leaving. Trailer chains need to be secured and tires properly inflated to avoid throwing a spark. Motorized equipment should have properly functioning spark arresters.
The recent hot weather is drying fuels and increasing fire danger. While there aren’t fire restrictions at this time, there was a small wildfire near Wyandotte Campground Tuesday afternoon. Recent fuel reduction helped firefighters contain and control the fire quickly. However, it is an example of the need to be careful and help prevent human caused wildfires.
Report suspected wildfires by calling 911.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
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