BIG SUR – California's storied Big Sur region, ravaged for more than a month by wildfires that continue to blaze in remote areas, will take a step toward recovery today with the reopening of 218 campsites at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Five environmental camps at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park also will reopen, along with the small parking area and waterfall trail from the parking lot to an overlook providing panoramic views of one of California's most iconic scenes.
"We had fire go through all our parks at Big Sur, and we had to wait before reopening to do trail assessments and make sure there's enough park for people to return to," said Mat Fuzie, district superintendent of California State Parks Monterey District.
Fuzie said that about 70 percent of the trail system at Pfeiffer Big Sur was affected, "and that means burned bridges, things like that, which make it impossible to open."
The other 40 percent of the system will reopen today, he said, including the popular Valley View Trail on the east side of Highway 1 and all trails on to the west side of the road.
Big Sur Lodge on Highway 1 and adjacent campground infrastructure and swimming holes were spared, although the flames came close, Fuzie said. The fire did not jump Highway 1, leaving vistas to the west side of the road unaffected.
"What people are going to see as they drive down Highway 1 are burned areas of the hillsides," Fuzie said. "Once they get into the parks, they're really not going to see that much unless they go off the trail. So they'll still be able to enjoy that Big Sur experience with the river and all the beaches."
Full containment of the Basin Complex fire is predicted for July 30.
"The area still burning is so far away from our parks in the valley that it's no longer a concern," Fuzie said.
Andrew Molina State Park continues to serve as a command center for firefighters and is reopening bit by bit as response teams leave. The day-use parking lot there is open to the public, Fuzie said, as are some trails to the beach.
Garrapata State Park was not touched by the flames and is fully open.
Fuzie said maps of the closure areas will be given to campers as they enter Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and will be posted throughout all parks in the area.
Reservation fees for campers displaced by the fires are being refunded.
Call Bee Travel Editor Janet Fullwood, (916) 321-1148.
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