Emergency crews from Caltrans District 2, along with the J.F. Shea Company, Inc., are working diligently to restore sections of State Routes 32, 36, and 172 after the devastation of the Park Fire. Closing in on burning for a full month, the fire holds at a burn area of just over 429,300 acres and is currently 51% contained.
Travel near the Park fire has improved as State Route 32 is back open in the affected area. However, you should be prepared for some one-way traffic controls as emergency restoration efforts continue. Hwy 36 is now open to one-lane controlled traffic over Morgan Summit, from Mineral to Childs Meadow. State Route 172 remains fully closed between the junctions with State Route 36 in Mineral and near Mill Creek.
The fire has caused significant damage along SR 36, stretching from just west of The Dales to the east junction with SR 172 in Mill Creek, on SR 32 between the Butte/Tehama County Line and Deer Creek, and on SR 172 in several areas.
Caltrans crews are prioritizing tasks like removing hazardous trees, repairing guardrails, controlling erosion, and replacing damaged signs to get the highway back fully open.
In addition, Due to progress in containing the Park Fire, the Lassen National Forest has reduced the forest closure area. The boundary now starts at the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 32 in Chico and follows this route:
Northeast along Highway 32 to its intersection with Highway 36.
Northwest along Highway 36 to its intersection with Highway 99 in Red Bluff.
South along Highway 99, returning to the starting point at Highway 32 in Chico.
As restoration efforts continue, you are urged to stay informed and exercise caution while driving through the affected areas, as the community works together to rebuild and recover from the impact of the Park Fire.
