After the devastating Springs Fire blazed through much of Point Mugu State Park on its way to burning more than 24,000 acres in Ventura County, National Parks Service and California State Parks have issued a few tips on how residents and visitors and help nature’s healing process.
Angeles District Superintendent Craig Sap estimates 12,000 of Point Mugu’s 14,000 acres were hit by the Springs Fire, which sparked in Camarillo and quickly reached Newbury Park, the Cal State Channel Islands area and the Pacific Ocean at Point Mugu. The fire is expected to be fully contained Thursday, a week after it sparked.
Point Mugu’s backcountry roads trails remain shut down while officials sort through the damage. Thornhill Broome Campground, Mugu Beach and Sycamore Cove have reopened, with La Jolla and Sycamore Canyon Campgrounds set for tentative reopenings on May 22 or 23.
In a release sent out Thursday, NPS and State Parks advised the following:
1. Respect park closures. State Parks and NPS are working to assess conditions within the burn area, but the fire is still active and staff must be escorted by fire officials. Officials cannot open the park (or specific trails) until it is safe for visitors and the cultural and natural resources within the park.
2. Stay on the trail. When parks re-open, staying on designated trails (not unofficial paths created by fire crews) and minding posted closure signs is critical to protecting the wildlife and plant communities that survived the flames. Foot and bike traffic tramples sensitive soil, vegetation, burrows and nests.
3. Sign up to volunteer. Fire is part of nature, but officials encourage providing a helping hand to nature along the way. While officials are still assessing the damage, volunteers can sign up now for future opportunities to do habitat restoration and trail improvement.Â
