QUINCY, CA — The summer recreation season is at its midpoint and recreation staff and the concessionaire on the Plumas National Forest are continuing to make repairs, adjustments and complete other work at recreation facilities across the Forest.
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, scan and pay on Recreation.gov is now available at Silver Lake, Snake Lake, Deanes Valley, Rock Creek and Meadow Camp campgrounds. Visitors will need to have the Recreation.gov app on their phone prior to their visit. At the campground, find the QR code at the kiosk and scan. Cell service is not needed to use the app to pay fees.
Additionally, Three Lakes Road is closed during work hours due to hazard tree removal. Caribou Road is closed during work hours north of Mosquito Creek due to ongoing repairs from last year’s landslide. Antelope Lake Road is closed during the week for ongoing repairs.
At Little Beaver Campground at Little Grass Valley Reservoir on the Feather River Ranger District, Loop C – a first come, first served overflow campground – is closed for the season due to water availability.
Campers at Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area are asked to help conserve water, especially at Little Beaver, Red Feather and Running Deer campgrounds. This includes ensuring faucets are completely turned off and reporting any leaks or broken plumbing to Feather River Ranger District recreation staff.
On the Beckwourth Ranger District, the boat dock at Gold Lake is in the water. However, the gangway is being repaired and caution should used getting on and off the dock. As a reminder, Gold Lake Campground is now first come, first served, and Gold Lake 4x4 Camp is now requiring reservations at least three days in advance on Recreation.gov.
Reservations for Gold Lake 4x4 Camp can be made up to 30 days in advance online or by calling 877-444-6777. The reservation phone number is staffed daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. PDT. Recreation.gov charges an $8 service charge for online reservations, $9 for phone reservations. Service charges are also applied for cancellations, so visitors are asked to be sure of their plans.
Visitors to Gold Lake 4x4 Camp are also expected to be responsible for human waste disposal when recreating at this site, bringing and using approved systems. This includes waste kits and Waste Alleviation and Gelling (WAG) bags that contain a drying agent, can be sealed and disposed of in a dumpster or trash at home. These systems can be purchased at a variety outdoor stores and online.
The Plumas National Forest is currently in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in established campfire rings in specific designated recreation sites with campground hosts present listed in Exhibit A of the closure order.
California Campfire Permit holders can use portable campfire pits, stoves or lanterns that use gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel as long as it has a working shut-off valve and is used in an area that is at least 3 feet from any flammable materials.
Additionally, internal combustion engines, such as vehicles and generators, may only be used on designated roads and trails. Boat engines are exempt.
“The area in and around the Plumas is seeing continued hot and dry weather, as well as chances for thunderstorms and lightning in the forecast,” said Plumas National Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer Mitch Wilson. “It is critical for area residents and visitors to be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire and to comply with the Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.”
Trailer chains should be secured so that they are not dragging on the pavement and tires should be properly inflated. Spark arresters should be functioning properly on motorized equipment, including off-highway vehicles, generators and chainsaws.
“For the past two years, we have been extremely fortunate to not have a sizeable wildfire, but lightning, gusty winds and increased fire danger raises concerns for the coming weeks,” said Plumas National Forest Assistant Forest Fire Management Officer Mitch Wilson. “We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and vigilance in being careful and preventing human-caused wildfires.”
Even with the hot weather, it’s advised to be prepared for changing conditions and cooler temperatures at night. Being prepared with layered clothing, plenty of food and water, good footwear and the right gear is highly recommended.
It’s always good for any forest adventure to make sure in addition to the right supplies that you let someone know where you are going, when you plan to be back and start with a full tank of gas.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, follow the forest on Twitter @USFSPlumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
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