BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - California State Parks and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that the utility company is helping Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (SRA) recover from the North Complex Fire by removing hazardous trees and installing erosion control measures at three recreational sites.

To enable poles and power lines damaged by the fire within the SRA and nearby communities to be rebuild more quickly, State Parks is allowing PG&E to utilize Loafer Creek Campground and the areas near the Enterprise and Foreman boat launch ramps. These recreation sites will be used for material mobilization and staging and will remain closed to the public through late October or mid-November.

“PG&E needs these areas to more quickly restore electric services to Lake Oroville SRA and our neighbors,” said Aaron Wright, Public Safety Superintendent for Lake Oroville SRA. “Allowing PG&E to remove unsafe trees that could topple and install erosion control measures in fire-impacted areas is critical for the safety of our visitors and parks staff as we recover from the wildfires.”

“We appreciate State Parks’ creative solutions and teamwork that will speed up fire recovery, which benefits the public and the environment. With thousands of utility poles burned in the fire, our logistical needs are substantial, and these sites are of great help in speeding up the restoration work,” said Jay Dealba, PG&E’s North Valley Division Superintendent.

PG&E has already started tree removals and will soon start erosion control measures at the three sites to prevent further damage in the recreation area from winter rainfall.

At this time, here are the areas open at Lake Oroville SRA: Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle campgrounds, North Forebay and South Forebay, Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), Diversion Pool including car-top boat launch, Access to trails including Brad Freeman and Dan Beebe, Saddle Dam day-use area, Launch ramps at the Spillway, Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle, Lake Oroville and Bidwell Canyon Marinas.

State Parks and CAL FIRE are evaluating conditions daily to determine when to reopen other areas of the SRA safely.

As a reminder, COVID-19 guidelines are still in effect, and the public is advised to plan ahead to find out if any new restrictions are in place. Please visit parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville for details.

For the latest information on state park units affected by the fires, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/Incidents. For the latest information on the wildfires, please visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/.  

California State Parks and the recreational programs supported by its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide the opportunity for families, friends, and communities to connect. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 280 park units organized into 21 field districts throughout the state. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com and www.pge.com/news.