The Lake Fire did not burn any part of the Ridge Route, however most of the road is closed until December 31st of this year. It is closed to rehabilitate the area and allow the fire department to clean up any equipment (like hoses) in the area and due to the extreme fire risk.
CLOSURES: From Ridge Route x Pine Canyon Rd on the north end to Ridge Route x Templin Highway on the south end.
My own little bit here: I have been driving the Castaic end of the road every day to check on it. There’s no visible smoke anymore. This is an area that hasn’t burned in recent times with lots of brush so it makes sense that they’d be extra protective of it. I’m so thankful for the firefighters out there keeping everyone (including the road) safe! This is one intense fire season already.
SOURCES:
CalFire: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/12/lake-fire/
CalFire Burn Area Map: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/12/lake-fire/…
Angeles National Forest Closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6953/53705/
It’s always seemed odd to me this odd connection some of us feel for the ORR and/or RRA. For some it’s family. Others have. Hold hood memories of trips up and down to get from one end of the state to another. Thanks for chronicling the area and with it, our collective memories.
It’s such a magical place! Thank you!