Visiting After the Dixie Fire

A view of Mt. Conard and Diamond Peak above Little Hot Springs Valley following the 2021 Dixie Fire.

 

• Dixie Fire History
• Current Conditions
• Emergency Closures

Limited Closures in Lassen Volcanic in 2024

Some emergency closures are in place for facilities, infrastructure, and areas affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. Please adhere to all closures indicated by CLOSED signs.

 

What to Expect When Visiting After the 2021 Dixie Fire

Areas most impacted by Dixie Fire are located in the east and southeast portion of the park and include Warner Valley, Juniper Lake, and portions of Lassen Volcanic Wilderness between Butte and Juniper lakes. All areas west of the park highway were not affected by the Dixie Fire.

Is it Safe to Visit the Park After the Fire?

Areas to the west of and along the park highway that were unaffected by the fire are the safest areas to visit. Additional hazards may be present along the highway including fallen trees, rockfall, or slow or stopped cars. Please adhere to the posted speed limit and be patient with your fellow visitors.

Closures are in place in some affected areas to reduce risk to visitors and damage to park resources or to allow for repair or rehabilitation work. Other areas affected by the Dixie Fire are open and entering these areas involves risk. Learn more about burned area safety.

Hazards in Burned Areas Include:

• Falling trees and limbs
• Hidden stump holes
• Loose or falling rock
• Higher than normal stream flow
• Unstable shorelines
• Burned signs

Is it Worthwhile to Visit after the Fire?

Manzanita Lake and most of the Southwest and Butte Lake Areas have limited or no impacts from the fire. Most of the highlights along the highway look the same as before the fire. You will however, see burned areas from a few sections of the highway and some areas will remain closed for safety and restoration/repair efforts. View photos of effects of the Dixie Fire in the park.

 

Half of the Park Was Not Affected by the Dixie Fire
The Dixie Fire footprint covers 69% of the park, however not all areas within the footprint burned. The majority of burned areas lay in the eastern portion of the park and were low to moderate severity. One-third of affected areas burned at high-severity, including portions of Mill Creek drainage (below the Southwest Entrance), Warner Valley, and Juniper Lake Area.

Vegetation Burn Severity within Lassen Volcanic National Park

Severity	Acres	Percent of Fire Footprint
Unchanged	12,845	18%
Low to Moderate	34,450	49%
High	23,493	33%

Which Trails Were Affected?

All Trails West of the Park Highway Were Not Affected
Many trails remain snow-covered, but are open to oversnow travel.

Most Trails East of the Park Highway Were Affected

Small sections of trail or damaged/destroyed infrastructure such as overlooks and boardwalks will be signed as CLOSED as conditions warrant. Significant closures will be noted on the trail conditions page.

Expected burn area hazards on all trails within the Dixie Fire footprint. 

Trail Rehabilitation in Progress

The park is prioritizing efforts to rehabilitate popular trails within the burn footprint as soon as possible. Major footbridges were repaired or replaced. This includes the Kings Creek Falls overlook and the Mill Creek Falls bridges. Additional smaller footbridges throughout the Dixie Fire footprint still need repair or rehabilitaiton. The rehabilitation of the 13-mile segement of the Pacific Crest Trail within the park was completed in 2023.

Burned trees pose a risk along established park trails. Trees that have fallen over trails are removed each year, however standing dead trees will remain to fall naturally. Many trees fall over the winter. However, it is best to excercise caution anytime of the year in any weather conditions when hiking thorugh a burned area. 

Which Campgrounds Will Be Open?

Most park campgrounds are anticipated to open for the 2024 summer/fall season. View campground operating dates and status.

• Juniper Lake and Southwest Walk-in Campgrounds will remain closed for 2024 season
• Camping in self-contained vehicles is permitted within the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. No tent camping is permitted in or around the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. 

Where Can I Go Backpacking?

Backpacking is permitted within the Dixie Fire footprint. Backpackers should exercise caution in burned areas; learn more about  burned area safety.

Some closures are in place for facilities, infrastructure, and areas affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire.

Will Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Warner Valley Areas Be Open?

The status of park roads is listed on the current conditions page and includes closures for snow and post-fire repair. The opening of Warner Valley and Juniper Lake roads will be delayed beyond the normal spring/summer opening to allow for post-fire repair.

Butte Lake Area

• Butte Lake Road, day use area and the Butte Lake campground will be open in 2024.
• Cinder Cone Trail and other Butte Lake area trails were minimally affected by the Dixie Fire and have been open since 2022.

Warner Valley Area

• Drakesbad Guest Ranch  repairs to damaged infrastructure were completed in 2023. The Ranch is expected to open for operations in 2024. Learn more about the Drakesbad Guest Ranch.
• Warner Valley Campground may open once post-fire hazards have been addressed.

Juniper Lake Area

• Juniper Lake Road is closed to all traffic for the 2024 summer season.
• Juniper Lake Campground is closed due to post-fire recovery activities for the 2024 summer season.
• Trails connecting Juniper Lake, Butte Lake, and Summit Lake were impacted by the Dixie Fire but are open to hiking.

Where Can I Use Stock?

The Dixie Fire footprint is closed to stock use. This closure will limit the impacts to the resource and prevent soil erosion, social trailing, erosion at creek crossing, nonnative plant introduction as well as mitigate safety concerns for livestock and the stock users. Burned areas will remain closed to stock use through 2024 or until full repairs are completed.

Stock use is permitted within all other areas of the park normally open to stock use. Travel with stock is limited to day use only.

All stock corrals are closed for the 2024 summer/fall season.

 

 

Map of closures, amenities, and the Dixie Fire burn area.

NPS

Map of current closures as of 5/23/2023. This map does not include all closures. Please adhere to all closures indicated by CLOSED signs within the park. Learn more about the 2021 Dixie Fire.

 

Map of initial Dixie Fire vegetation burn severity. Click for larger view.