Current Wildfire Activity

A plume of smoke from the 2012 Reading Fire above hikers on the Mt. Harkness Trail above Juniper Lake.

NPS Photo

 

 

• Current Conditions
• Campfire Restrictions/Regulations
• Fire Management
• Air Quality
• Dixie Fire
• Post-Fire Recovery

Wildfire Information

Wildfires within Lassen Volcanic National Park will be reported on this page if they exceed low-impact status, which may include rapid growth, increased impacts, or size exceeding 1/4-acre.

Active Fires: None

On July 15, 2024, the park received about 15 lightning strikes. Three fires resulted and have been contained. Arial reconnaissance of the park the following two days did not discover any new fires. The fires include:

• P-3: approx 0.25 acre;
  • near Dersch Meadows (visible from park road near Hat Creek Inholder Road);
  • discovered 7/15; (Contained/Controlled 7/16)
  • Staffed today with CNF E-337.
• P-5: approx 0.10 acre;
  • near Hat Creek, the PCT, and the north boundary of the park
  • discovered 7/15; (Contained/Controlled 7/16)
  • fire contained by CalFire helicopter 8EC (and crew) on 7/15.
• P-6: approx 1 acre;
  • between Cluster Lakes and Lower Twin Lake (visible from Cinder Cone)
  • discovered 7/16; (Contained/Controlled 7/17)
  • The Fire is staffed with 6 smokejumpers from Redding and Helicopter 6TA.

 

Dixie Fire hazard tree removal project map.

Dixie Post-Fire Recovery

The 2021 Dixie Fire reached 100% containment on October 26, 2021 with a total size of 963,309 acres including 73,240 acres within the park. Learn more about Dixie Fire effects within the park and Dixie Fire recovery.

New! Hazard Tree Removal Project

Crews are removing hazard trees burned from the park highway and Warner Valley and Juniper Lake Areas as part of the 2021 Dixie Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER). Hazard trees pose a threat to safety or infrastructure and are identified by a blue paint mark. Expect temporary traffic control and changes to parking areas in active work zones. Please keep a safe distance from workers and equipment.

 

A broadcast burn consumes accumulated forest fuels adjacent to the road near Manzanita Lake.

NPS/Dan Ostmann

Prescribed Burning

Lassen Volcanic National Park will continue prescribed burning in winter 2024/2025 as conditions permit. Smoke from prescribed burns may be visible within and outside of the park. Air quality information including Particle Matter (PM2.5) measurements at Manzanita Lake and Mineral is available at on the Air Quality page.

Treatments may include broadcast burns (application of fire within a predetermined area) or pile burns. Possible treatment areas include Park Headquarters in Mineral, Summertown (north of Manzanita Lake), Juniper Lake and Warner Valley (Dixie Fire cleanup), and areas within the Northwest Gateway Project area.

Current Fire Activity

Pile Burning

November 19, 2024

• Lassen Volcanic National Park plans on igniting piles throughout the Lost Creek and volcano Adventure Camp area.
• Lassen Volcanic National Park plans on igniting piles throughout the Butte Lake area.

November 12 - 15, 2024

• Lassen Volcanic National Park is planning to ignite piles in the Lost Creek and Volcano Adventure Camp area on Tuesday, November 12 and Thursday November 14.
  Update - piles throughout 30 acreas within the Lost Creek and Volcano Adventure Camp were completed on November 12.
• Planned ignition of piles in the Juniper Lake area on Wednesday, November 13. Possible ignition of a pile at the Hat Creek inholder road on Friday, November 15.

All planned burning is contingent upon air quality, resource availability, and weather forecasts. Light smoke may continue for several days after ignition.

Northwest Gateway Project Prescribed Burning

Prescribed burning of approximately 65 acres in the northwest corner of the park near the campground, administrative buildings, and park staff residences occurred on November 1, 2023. This is part of the multi-year Northwest Gateway Forest Restoration (NWG) Project and involves the reintroduction of fire to areas that were previously treated by mechanical thinning.

 

Hazy air conditions at Sulphur Works in the Southwest Area.

NPS/Catherine Orland

Smoke Impacts from Nearby Wildfires

Smoke impacts in the park from nearby fires vary from day to day. Park staff is not able to predict conditions for your trip. The following resources can help you check conditions prior to your visit:

• Lassen Volcanic may be impacted by the Dixie Fire.
• View all active wildfires on the nationwide Wildfire Map on Inciweb.
• View air quality information near the park.
• View current conditions on the Southwest Area webcam.