Photo: Devon Hawley-Schaller

Friends Fire Fund established to aid State Parks with wildfire recovery 

The CZU Lightning Complex Fire caused heartbreaking devastation and disruption, affecting our beloved state parks, as well as those who work in them. We’re here to help with recovery.

In response to the wildfire and through our unique position as co-management partners with State Parks, we leapt into action to establish the Friends Fire Fund to provide direct assistance for those most affected by the fire, to be followed by investments in long-term recovery work for damaged parks.

Donations have poured in from individuals as far away as Australia, along with a generous grant from the California State Parks Foundation. We're happy to announce that the first grants to those impacted by the fires have already been distributed. We've also secured iPad-based software that will be quickly deployed to help with damage assessment at Big Basin. Due to the level of devastation, donations are still being accepted.

State Parks reopen following wildfire

Good news! Many state parks and beaches in the region are reopening as the CZU Lightning Complex Fire moves toward containment. Now-open parks include:

• Año Nuevo State Park
• Castle Rock State Park
• Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, except the Fall Creek Unit
• Portola Redwoods State Park
• Wilder Ranch State Park 

Some evacuations and road closures remain in effect. Please be safe and avoid closed areas. The following parks are closed: 

• Big Basin Redwoods State Park, including the Rancho Del Oso Unit 
• Butano State Park

Castro Adobe State Historic Park adds fire suppression system

Fire preparedness has always been important. But recent wildfires in California only heightened concerns about how to protect important areas and historic structures in the event of a fire.
 
At Castro Adobe State Historic Park, the restoration plan for the historic two-story adobe building has always included fire suppression, a requirement to open the space as a new state historic park.
 
Although adobe bricks don’t burn as fiercely as wood might, the adobe building is still very susceptible to fire damage due to the significant amount of wood used in the construction, including in the framing, flooring and the roof.
 
Plans to add fire suppression features have been in the works for years, though completion was expedited after the devastating CZU Lightning Complex Fire occurred in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties in August and September, impacting several State Parks in the region.
 
In summer 2020, a fire suppression system — including a modern sprinkler system — was installed inside the building.
 
This month, a 10,000-gallon water tank was installed to hold water for the fire suppression system, should the system need to be activated. The tank is connected via underground pipes to the south side of the Castro Adobe. A fire hydrant was included near the tank to provide additional protection for the nearby properties.
 
The installation will be completed this fall and will provide the Castro Adobe State Historic Park with the needed protection should a fire occur. See more photos on the Castro blog.