Updates on Recovery from the Post Fire

July 3, 2024

Hungry Valley SVRA is closed until further notice. The Post Fire is 100% contained with fire crews on standby in case of flare ups. The wind-driven fire started in Gorman heading west then south toward Pyramid Lake burning 15,690-acres in Hungry Valley SVRA and Los Padres and Angeles National Forests.

In the days after the fire, Southern California Edison replaced utility poles restoring power within the park. Other utility companies have inspected their equipment and repairs are ongoing. Supplies and equipment are being ordered to replace miles of fencing and gates damaged in the fire. A major concern is soil erosion in the park due to rain storms during the summer monsoon season. Plans to mitigate soil erosion are being implemented to prevent further damage to the park.

A rattlesnake moving through the burned vegetation after the Post Fire.

June 24, 2024

California State Parks today announced the temporary full closure of the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) in Southern California due to extensive damage caused by the Post Fire. The closure has been in effect as of June 17, 2024. The wildfire, which started on June 15, has burned through large swathes of the park in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, impacting the SVRA’s infrastructure and resources in the park and leading to hazardous conditions. State Parks strongly advises the public not to enter the park, which will remain closed until further notice.

The Post Fire burned 10,064 acres within the eastern and southern portions of Hungry Valley SVRA, which contains most of the park’s off-highway vehicle recreation trails and the Quail Canyon Special Event Area. When the fire initially started, nearly 1,200 park visitors and staff were evacuated safely.

So far, the fire is confirmed to have destroyed or severely impacted:

  • The South Entrance Station
  • A well pump shed
  • Several miles of fencing and trails
  • Multiple wayfinding signs
  • 2,000-acres of the Native Grasslands Management Area
  • Two cultural preserves
  • Vegetation that provides habitat within the park and natural boundaries for trails

June 17, 2024

Freeman Wash with burned shrubs and vegetation. A sign for Freeman Canyon surrounded by burned vegetation.
The Post Fire burned exceedingly hot devastating trees, shrubs, and other plants altering the habitat within the park. East, West, and Lower Freeman Canyons were severely impacted by the Post Fire.
A tree burned down to the trunk in the middle of a sandy wash. Trees and shrubs burned in the Post Fire.
10,064-acres within Hungry Valley SVRA burned in the Post Fire. The loss of trees and other large vegetation will impact the viewshed and habitat for years.

 

June 15, 2024

California State Parks Ranger in a white truck parked on a dirt road assists visitors in evacuating the park as plumes of smoke from the Post Fire can be seen within Hungry Valley SVRA. Flames and smoke from the Post Fire are visible on a ridge in the eastern portion of Hungry Valley SVRA.
The Post Fire started on June 15, 2024 near the Gorman exit from I-5. The fire spread rapidly from the north into the eastern portion of the park.
Fire burning a hilltop covered in smoke. A State Park Ranger in his patrol vehicle parked on Gold Hill Road assists with the evacuation of Hungry Valley SVRA.
Embers carried on the gusty winds spread the fire up to one-mile away. Rangers evacuated nearly 1,200 people to safety as the fire spread within the park